Viscount Ridley is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1900 for the Conservative politician Sir Matthew White Ridley, 5th Baronet, Home Secretary from 1895 to 1900. He was made Baron Wensleydale, of Blagdon and Blyth in the County of Northumberland, at the same time, also in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. The latter title was a revival of the barony held by his maternal grandfather James Parke, Baron Wensleydale, whose title became extinct upon his death since none of his sons survived him.
Lord Ridley was succeeded by his son, the second Viscount. He represented Stalybridge in the House of Commons. His son, the third Viscount, was Chairman of the Northumberland County Council. The latter's son, the fourth Viscount, succeeded in 1965. He notably served as Lord Steward of the Household from 1989 to 2001. In 2012 he was succeeded by his son, the writer Matt Ridley as fifth Viscount.
The Baronetcy, of Blagdon in the County of Northumberland, was created in the Baronetage of Great Britain in 1756 for Matthew White, with remainder to the heirs male of his sister Elizabeth, wife of Matthew Ridley. He was succeeded according to the special remainder by his nephew, the second Baronet. He represented Morpeth and Newcastle-upon-Tyne in Parliament. On his death the title passed to his eldest son, the third Baronet. He was also a Member of Parliament for Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He was succeeded by his son, the fourth Baronet. He represented Northumberland North in Parliament as a Conservative. Ridley was the husband of Cecilia Anne Parke, daughter of James Parke, 1st Baron Wensleydale. When he died the title was inherited by his son, the fifth Baronet, who was raised to the peerage as Viscount Ridley in 1900.
Three other members of the family have also gained distinction. Nicholas Ridley-Colborne, younger son of the second Baronet, was a politician and was created Baron Colborne in 1839. The Honourable Sir Jaspar Ridley, younger son of the first Viscount, was an authority on banking and the arts. Nicholas Ridley, Baron Ridley of Liddesdale, younger son of the third Viscount, was a Conservative politician.
The family seat is Blagdon Hall, near Cramlington, Northumberland.
Read more about Viscount Ridley: Ridley Baronets, of Blagdon (1756), Viscounts Ridley (1900)
Famous quotes containing the words viscount and/or ridley:
“The whole duty of government is to prevent crime and to preserve contracts.”
—William Lamb Melbourne, 2nd Viscount (1779–1848)
“I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched seabeams glitter in the dark near the Tennhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time like tears in rain. Time to die.”
—David Webb Peoples, U.S. screenwriter, and Ridley Scott. Roy Batty, Blade Runner, final words before dying—as an android he had a built-in life span that expired (1982)