Beda Cornwall (November 21, 1907 – June 13, 1994) was instrumental in the development of public libraries in Las Vegas, Nevada. Born in Tulare, South Dakota, to Frederick William and Martha Brennecke, Cornwall was educated at University of Idaho, Southern Branch, at Pocatello and at the University of Denver where she majored in education and social services. She was a teacher in Montrose, Colorado, for four years. She married Charles Cornwall in 1932, and together they had two children, Frederick William Cornwall and Martha Brennecke Cornwall.