Record

CodePX295
Dates1866-1953
Person NameBedford; Edward John (1866-1953); Photographer and Artist
SurnameBedford
ForenamesEdward John
EpithetPhotographer and Artist
ActivityA pupil at the Lewes School of Art in Albion Street (now the library), his talents led him in 1883 to take up a career in teaching at Brighton School of Art and it was there that he developed a passion for photography.
A keen antiquarian and member of the Sussex Archaeological Society, he made detailed photographic records of events in Lewes. He served as secretary of the Lewes Photographic Society when it was established in 1888.
He was fascinated by the railway and, as a keen student of natural history, he was influential in setting up the Lewes Scientific and Literary Society. He also spent much of his time as curator of the Lewes Borough Museum, set up in the old Market Tower.
The closure of the art school enabled the museum to move to Albion Street where Bedford collected widely and variedly. The records solemnly record the gift of such treasures as a stuffed duck-billed platypus.
Bedford lectured as late as 1946 on wild flowers to the Royal Photographic Society.

Bedford donated numerous paintings to the Natural History Museum
Catalogue
RefNoTitle
DF/PUB/509/113British orchids 4: 5 coloured cards from drawings by E J Bedford (F19)
DF/PUB/509/111British orchids 2: 5 coloured cards from drawings by E J Bedford (F17)
DF/PUB/509/2884 postcards featuring Britain's Wildlife taken from the Nature Navigator picture gallery
DF/PUB/509/134British orchids 8: 5 coloured cards from drawings by E J Bedford (F40)
DF/PUB/509/115British orchids 6: 5 coloured cards from drawings by E J Bedford (F21)
DF/PUB/509/133British orchids 7: 5 coloured cards from drawings by E J Bedford (F39)
DF/PUB/509/112British orchids 3: 5 coloured cards from drawings by E J Bedford (F18)
DF/ZOO/232/5/18/2/8Bedford, E.J.
DF/ZOO/232/6/12/2/7Bedford, E.J
DF/PUB/509/110British orchids 1: 5 coloured cards from drawings by E J Bedford (F16)
DF/PUB/509/114British orchids 5: 5 coloured cards from drawings by E J Bedford (F20)
DF/BOT/400/15/38Correspondence B
DF/PUB/509/135British orchids 9: 5 coloured cards from drawings by E J Bedford (F41)
DF/PH/3/1/648Gallery Photograph Album 1: Nest of great titmouse
DF/ADM/1004/52Bequests: E J Bedford collection of photographs of orchids
DF/PH/19/1/13Excavation in gravel: 'where the Piltdown skull was found'
DF/ZOO/232/5/7/1/4Bedford, E. J.
DF/ZOO/232/5/14/2/8Bedford, E.J.
DF/ZOO/232/5/17/2/10Bedford, E.J.
DF/ZOO/232/5/11/1/14Bedford, E.J.
DF/PH/19/1/11Men working at Piltdown: Robert Kenward jnr, Charles Dawson, 'Venus' Hargreaves and Arthur Smith Woodward
DF/PH/19/1/12Charles Dawson and Arthur Smith Woodward searching gravels at Piltdown and view of excavation in the gravel
DF/PH/19/1/1Excavations at Piltdown site, with (left to right) 'Venus' Hargreaves, Arthur Smith Woodward and Charles Dawson
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