William Bedell, an English prelate, born at Black Notley, Essex, in 1570, died at Kilmore, Feb. 7, 1642. He was secretary to Sir Henry Wotton on his embassy to Venice in 1604.

Having acquired the Italian language, he translated the "Book of Common Prayer," and presented it to the clergy who were at the time appointed by the republic of Venice to preach against the papal power. On his return to England he remained in retirement for some time, but was at length presented to a living in Norfolk. In 1627 he was elected provost of Trinity college, Dublin, which office he declined until the king's orders made his acceptance imperative. He was next made bishop of Kilmore and of Ardagh, but resigned the latter see, and addressed himself to the task of reforming the clergy of Kilmore, and of introducing the Protestant worship into Ireland. He studied Irish, and had the Prayer Book with the homilies of Chrysostom and Leo in praise of reading the Scriptures translated and circulated. On the outbreak of the great Irish rebellion he was at first not molested, a respite which he used for the benefit of the distressed Protestants. Soon, however, his palace was invaded, and himself, his two sons, and son-in-law were carried otf to a stronghold of the rebels, where all except the bishop were put in fetters. The exposure during the winter brought on a severe fever, of which soon after his release he died.

At his burial a concourse of Roman Catholics attended, and a volley was fired over his grave by the rebels. His translation of the Old Testament was published in 1685 at the expense of the Hon. Robert Boyle. His life was written by Bishop Burnet (1685).