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.

Viscount Ridley

Gules, a chevron argent between three close falcons argent, as many pellets[1]
Creation date17 December 1900
Created byQueen Victoria
PeeragePeerage of the United Kingdom
First holderSir Matthew White Ridley, 5th Baronet
Present holderMatthew White Ridley, 5th Viscount Ridley
Heir apparentHon. Matthew White Ridley
Remainder toHeirs male of the body
Subsidiary titlesBaron Wensleydale
Seat(s)Blagdon Hall
MottoConstans Fidei ("Constant in loyalty")[1]

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 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. As of 2017, the titles are held by his son, the fifth Viscount, who succeeded in 2012. He is a writer.

The Ridley 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.[2]

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 Jasper Nicholas 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.

Ridley (formerly White) baronets, of Blagdon (1756)

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Matthew White Ridley, 1st Viscount Ridley

Viscount Ridley (1900)

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The heir apparent is the present holder's son, the Hon. Matthew White Ridley (born 1993).

Title succession chart

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Title succession chart, White (Ridley) baronets and Viscounts Ridley.
Matthew WhiteElizabeth Johnson
White baronetcy
Matthew Ridley
1711–1778
Elizabeth White
1721–1764
Sir Matthew White
1st Baronet
c. 1727 – 1763
Sir Matthew White Ridley
2nd Baronet

1745–1813
Baron Colborne
Sir Matthew White Ridley
3rd Baronet

1778–1836
Nicholas Ridley-Colborne
1st Baron Colborne

1779–1854
Barony extinct
Sir Matthew White Ridley
4th Baronet

1807–1877
Baron Wensleydale
Viscount Ridley
Matthew White Ridley
1st Viscount Ridley

5th Baronet
1842–1904
Matthew White Ridley
2nd Viscount Ridley

1874–1916
Matthew White Ridley
3rd Viscount Ridley

1902–1964
Matthew White Ridley
4th Viscount Ridley

1925–2012
Nicholas Ridley
Baron Ridley of Liddesdale

1929–1993
Matthew White Ridley
5th Viscount Ridley

born 1958
Hon.
Matthew White Ridley
born 1993

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Fox-Davies, Arthur Charles (1895). Armorial Families: A Complete Peerage, Baronetage, and Knightage. Jack. p. 1033. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  2. ^ "No. 27257". The London Gazette. 18 December 1900. p. 8538.
  • Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990.