| Viscount Ridley | |
|---|---|
  Gules, a chevron argent between three close falcons argent, as many pellets [1] | |
| Creation date | 17 December 1900 |
| Created by | Queen Victoria |
| Peerage | Peerage of the United Kingdom |
| First holder | Sir Matthew White Ridley, 5th Baronet |
| Present holder | Matthew White Ridley, 5th Viscount Ridley |
| Heir apparent | Hon. Matthew White Ridley |
| Remainder to | Heirs male of the body |
| Subsidiary titles | Baron Wensleydale |
| Seat | Blagdon Hall |
| Motto | Constans Fidei ("Constant in loyalty") [1] |
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.
Contents
- Ridley, formerly White, baronets, of Blagdon (1756 - present)
- Viscount Ridley (1900 - present)
- Title succession chart
- See also
- Notes
- References
The 1st Viscount was succeeded by his son, Matthew White Ridley, 2nd Viscount Ridley, who represented Stalybridge in the House of Commons. His own son, Matthew White Ridley, 3rd Viscount Ridley, later became Chairman of Northumberland County Council. The 3rd Viscount was followed in 1965 by his son, Matthew White Ridley, 4th Viscount Ridley, who went on to serve as Lord Steward of the Household from 1989 to 2001. Since 2012, the titles have been held by his son, Matthew White Ridley, 5th Viscount Ridley, a prominent science writer, journalist and businessman.
The Ridley, formerly White, baronetcy, [a] of Blagdon, in the County of Northumberland, is an extant title that was created in the Baronetage of Great Britain in 1756 for Sir Matthew White, 1st Baronet, with remainder to the heirs male of his sister Elizabeth White, wife of barrister Matthew Ridley. He was succeeded according to the special remainder by the son of his sister, the Sir Matthew White Ridley, 2nd Baronet. The latter went on to represent Morpeth and Newcastle-upon-Tyne in Parliament. He and all his heirs have borne (and continue to bear) the name ‘Matthew White Ridley’ (in which ‘White’ serves not as a surname but as a middle name adopted to reflect the family’s historical connection to the White family of Blagdon). On his death the title passed to his eldest son, Sir Matthew White Ridley, 3rd Baronet. He was also a Member of Parliament for Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He was succeeded by his son, Sir Matthew White Ridley, 4th 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, Sir Matthew White Ridley, 5th Baronet, who was raised to the peerage as Viscount Ridley in 1900. [3]
Some 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 Jasper Ridley, younger son of the first Viscount, was an authority on banking and the arts. His grandson Adam Ridley is a noted economist. 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.
