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In 1771 signer Bedford graduated with honors from the College of New Jersey (later [[Princeton University|Princeton]]), where he was a classmate of [[James Madison]]. Apparently while still in school, Bedford wed Jane B. Parker, who bore at least one daughter. After reading law with Joseph Read in Philadelphia, Bedford won admittance to the bar and set up a practice. Subsequently, he moved to Dover and then to Wilmington. He apparently served in the [[Continental Army]], possibly as an aide to [[George Washington|General Washington]].

In 1771 signer Bedford graduated with honors from the College of New Jersey (later [[Princeton University|Princeton]]), where he was a classmate of [[James Madison]]. Apparently while still in school, Bedford wed Jane B. Parker, who bore at least one daughter. After reading law with Joseph Read in Philadelphia, Bedford won admittance to the bar and set up a practice. Subsequently, he moved to Dover and then to Wilmington. He apparently served in the [[Continental Army]], possibly as an aide to [[George Washington|General Washington]].

Following the war, Bedford figured prominently in the politics of his state and nation. He sat in the legislature, on the state council, and in the [[Continental Congress]] (1783-85). In the latter year, he was chosen as a delegate to the [[Annapolis Convention]] but for some reason did not attend. From 1784 to 1789 he was [[attorney general]] of Delaware.

Following the war, Bedford figured prominently in the politics of his state and nation. He sat in the legislature, on the state council, and in the [[Continental Congress]] (1783-85). In the latter year, he was chosen as a delegate to the Annapolis Convention but for some reason did not attend. From 1784 to 1789 he was [[attorney general]] of Delaware.

Bedford numbered among the more active members of the [[Constitutional Convention]], and he missed few sessions. A large and forceful man, he spoke on several occasions and was a member of the committee that drafted the [[Great Compromise]]. An ardent small-state advocate, he attacked the pretensions of the large states over the small and warned that the latter might be forced to seek foreign alliances unless their interests were accommodated. He attended the [[Delaware ratifying convention]].

Bedford numbered among the more active members of the [[Constitutional Convention]], and he missed few sessions. A large and forceful man, he spoke on several occasions and was a member of the committee that drafted the [[Great Compromise]]. An ardent small-state advocate, he attacked the pretensions of the large states over the small and warned that the latter might be forced to seek foreign alliances unless their interests were accommodated. He attended the Delaware ratifying convention.

For another 2 years, Bedford continued as Delaware's attorney general. In 1789 Washington designated him as a [[federal district judge]] for his state, an office he was to occupy for the rest of his life. His only other ventures into national politics came in 1789 and 1793, as a [[Federalist]] presidential [[elector]]. In the main, however, he spent his later years in judicial pursuits, in aiding Wilmington Academy, in fostering [[abolitionism]], and in enjoying his Lombardy Hall farm.

For another 2 years, Bedford continued as Delaware's attorney general. In 1789 Washington designated him as a [[federal district judge]] for his state, an office he was to occupy for the rest of his life. His only other ventures into national politics came in 1789 and 1793, as a [[Federalist]] presidential [[elector]]. In the main, however, he spent his later years in judicial pursuits, in aiding Wilmington Academy, in fostering [[abolitionism]], and in enjoying his Lombardy Hall farm.