Richard Cobden Earle was born in 1867 at Blackheath. Educated at London University he became a priest in 1896. He married Ethel Leader in 1898.
He had been Rector of Quendon (Essex) from 1909 to 1934, and Vicar of Rickling (in plurality) from 1917 to 1934.
He was made an Honorary Canon of Chelmsford Cathedral in 1930.
He became Rector of Stanford Rivers in 1934.
According to Crockford (1936) the population of Stanford Rivers was 758 souls. The living was worth £1047 per annum.
He was replaced in 1941 by the Reverend Percy Sowerby.
