appointed as headmaster of Bedford School by the Mayor, Bailiffs, Burgesses and Commonality of Bedford following the dissolution of Newnham Priory in 1540. His appointment was made prior to Bedford School's refoundation in 1552. From then on the Wardens and Fellows of New College, Oxford were given the right to appoint the master (headmaster) and usher (deputy headmaster). The tradition of New College and Wykehamist appointees came to an end in 1903 with the appointment of John Edward King as headmaster. Notable staff Charles Abbot (1761–1817), Fellow of New College, Oxford, botanist and entomologist, Usher at Bedford School, 1787–1817 Robert Steele (1860–1944), Medievalist W. H. D. Rouse (1863–1950), Fellow in Classics at Christ's College, Cambridge Stanley Toyne (1881–1962), Historian, Hampshire and MCC cricketer Jack Hobbs (1882–1963), Surrey and England cricketer Rex Alston (1901–1994), a master at Bedford School, 1924–1941, before becoming a BBC sports commentator Evelyn King (1907–1994), Labour MP, 1945–1950, Conservative MP, 1964–1979 John Durnford-Slater (1909–1972), raised the first Commando unit in 1940, Estate Bursar and Commanding Officer of the CCF at Bedford School William Ronald Dalzell (1910–2004), book illustrator, author, and lecturer on the arts; art master, 1947-70 Godfrey Brown (1915–1995), History master, Olympic gold medal winner, 1936 Mary Midgley (1919–2018), moral philosopher Jack Bailey (1930–2018), Essex and MCC cricketer, Secretary of the MCC, 1974–1987 Bernie Cotton (born 1948), Olympic hockey player, 1972, manager of the Great Britain Olympic hockey team, 1992 Andrew Morris (born 1948), conductor and organist, Director of Music at Bedford School, 1979–2011 Derek Randall (born 1951), Nottinghamshire and England cricketer Gary Steer (born 1970) Derbyshire County Cricket Club Notable former pupils For details of notable alumni see List of people educated at Bedford School. See also List of high schools producing multiple Olympic gold medalists List of English and Welsh endowed schools (19th century) Notes References External links Bedford School official website Bedford School profile on the ISC website Bedford School profile on The Good Schools Guide website OFT price fixing article in The Guardian Bedford School Cricket Ground at CricketArchive Bedford School Cricket Ground at ESPNcricinfo International Baccalaureate schools in England Member schools of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference Educational institutions established in the 1550s 1552 establishments in England Boys' schools in Bedfordshire Boarding schools in Bedfordshire Private schools in the Borough of Bedford Sports venues completed in 1876 Cricket grounds in Bedfordshire Schools in Bedford