The first Suffragan Bishop of Crediton Robert Trefusis was born in the town in 1843. Edward Capern (1819–1894), known as "the rural postman of Bideford", published four volumes of verse and was given a Civil List pension. John Beare, a farmer and mill-owner, was born in Bideford and emigrated to Ontario. Lieutenant Colonel George Braund was born in Bideford in 1866 but emigrated to Australia when he was 15. Richard Bott, a skeleton racer, who competed in the 1948 Winter Olympics, was born in the town in 1900. The historian J. P. V. D. Balsdon was born in the town in 1901. The artist and illustrator Bertram Prance was born here in 1889 and was a student at Bideford Art School. Conductor, composer and pianist Clarence Raybould once lived in Bideford, and died here in 1972. John Richards, a musician, was born in the town, as were cricketer Ian Gompertz and cricket umpire David Shepherd, though at the time of his death he resided in neighbouring Instow.