Richard Bishop began his career by establishing a wholesale grocery business in Cincinnati, Ohio. He subsequently transitioned into public service, serving as a councilman and later as president of the Council. Bishop held the office of Mayor of Cincinnati for two years and concurrently led significant religious organizations. He participated in the Ohio Constitutional Convention and was elected governor by the Democrats, serving a two-year term. Throughout his career, Bishop demonstrated leadership in both the private and public sectors, including notable involvement in economic development and Union support during the Civil War.

Richard Bishop's political career reveals a unique blend of economic pragmatism and wartime leadership, underscored by a surprising advocacy for infrastructural development. His involvement in promoting the Cincinnati Southern Railway suggests a forward-thinking approach to economic growth, yet his wartime actions, including hosting President Lincoln and organizing a key Union meeting, indicate a strategic alignment with national priorities. This juxtaposition hints at a highly localized yet nationally attuned political philosophy. Bishop's tenure as governor, though sparsely documented, suggests a calculated approach to governance that balances regional interests with broader political imperatives.