John Richardson (bishop of Bedford)

Richardson was born the son of John Richardson, sometime Archdeacon of Derby. Like his father, he was educated at Winchester and Trinity Hall, Cambridge,[2] gaining the degree of Cambridge Master of Arts (MA Cantab).

He was made a deacon on Trinity Sunday 1963 (9 June)[3] and ordained a priest the Trinity Sunday following (24 May 1964), both times by Michael Gresford Jones, Bishop of St Albans, at St Albans Cathedral.[4] Richardson began his ministry with curacies in Stevenage and Eastbourne. He became Vicar of Chipperfield, then Rural Dean of Rickmansworth[5] and finally, before his appointment to the episcopate, Vicar of St Michael's, Bishops Stortford.[6]

He was consecrated a bishop on 23 February 1994, by George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury, at Westminster Abbey.[7] Richardson served as the Bishop of Bedford, a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of St Albans. He retired in 2002, but has since served the church in retirement as an honorary assistant bishop elsewhere.

In 1963, John Richardson married Felicity-Anne. They have three daughters and are grandparents.

In retirement, Richardson continues to serve the Church, as an honorary assistant bishop in the Dioceses of Carlisle and of Newcastle.