the "Bedford Crop". Although natural, the Bedford crop was usually styled with wax. Influence on Bloomsbury Francis Russell is responsible for much of the development of central Bloomsbury. Following the demolition of Bedford House on the north side of Bloomsbury Square, he commissioned James Burton to develop the land to the north into a residential area. Russell Square was designed as the focal point of the development. He commissioned Humphry Repton to landscape the square after the success of Repton's work for the Duke at his Woburn Estate. A statue by Richard Westmacott, erected in 1809, has been conserved and stands on the south side of the square. It depicts Francis Russell as an agriculturalist with one hand on a plough, corn ears in the other and sheep at his feet. He looks out over the land he developed back towards Bloomsbury Square. Racing career Bedford established a stud at Woburn Abbey and had considerable success as a breeder and owner of racehorses. When he was only twenty-one his first notable horse, Skyscraper, was foaled, a colt which went on to win The Derby of 1789. Bedford bred two other Derby winners, Eager (1788), and the nameless Colt by Fidget (1794), as well as two Oaks winners, Portia (1788) and Caelia (1790). See also Eponymous hairstyle: the Bedford crop References 1765 births 1802 deaths Alumni of Trinity College, Cambridge 405 Francis British racehorse owners and breeders People educated at Westminster School, London F Owners of Epsom Derby winners Whig (British political party) politicians People from Woburn, Bedfordshire