Matthew White Ridley, 4th Viscount Ridley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Viscount Ridley
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Viscount Ridley in the robes of a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter
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| Lord Steward | |
| In office 1989–2001 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | The Duke of Northumberland |
| Succeeded by | The Duke of Abercorn |
| Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland | |
| In office 3 January 1984 – 25 August 2000 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | The Duke of Northumberland |
| Succeeded by | Sir John Riddell, Bt |
| Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal |
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| In office 25 February 1964 – 11 November 1999 as a hereditary peer |
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| Preceded by | The 3rd Viscount Ridley |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Matthew White Ridley
29 July 1925 Blagdon Hall, Northumberland |
| Died | 22 March 2012 (aged 86) Blagdon Hall, Northumberland |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse | Lady Anne Lumley |
| Children | 4, including Matt Ridley and Rose Paterson |
| Parents | Matthew White Ridley, 3rd Viscount Ridley Ursula Lutyens |
| Relatives | Nicholas Ridley, Baron Ridley of Liddesdale (brother) Elisabeth Lutyens (aunt) Mary Lutyens (aunt) |
| Awards | Knight Companion of the Garter Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch/service |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1944–1986 |
| Rank | Brevet Colonel |
| Unit | Coldstream Guards Northumberland Hussars |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Matthew White Ridley, 4th Viscount Ridley (born 29 July 1925 – died 22 March 2012) was an important British figure. He held the title of Viscount and served in many public roles. One of his main jobs was Lord Steward of the Household from 1989 to 2001. This role involves managing the Royal Household.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Matthew Ridley was born on 29 July 1925. His father was the 3rd Viscount Ridley. His mother was Ursula Lutyens, whose father was the famous architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. Matthew had a younger brother, Nicholas Ridley, Baron Ridley of Liddesdale. Nicholas also became a well-known politician. He served as a government minister for many years under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Matthew Ridley went to Eton College, a famous school. He then studied agriculture at King's College, which is now part of Newcastle University.
Military Service and Nature Studies
His studies were paused by World War II. Matthew joined the Coldstream Guards in 1944. He served in important battles in Normandy and Germany during 1944 and 1945. After the war, he continued his education at Balliol College, Oxford. He earned a degree in Agriculture in 1948.
After university, he worked as an aide-de-camp (a personal assistant) to Sir Evelyn Baring. Sir Evelyn was the Governor of Kenya at the time. This job allowed Matthew to explore his interest in nature and science. In 1955, he spent four months on an empty island in the Seychelles. He was with a zoologist named Lord Richard Percy. They studied the sooty tern, a type of bird, which was becoming rare.
Later, Matthew Ridley joined the Territorial Army. This is a part-time army force. He rose to the rank of Brevet Colonel in the Northumberland Hussars. He became the Honorary Colonel of this unit in 1979.
Public Service and Important Roles
In 1964, Matthew Ridley became the 4th Viscount Ridley after his father passed away. This meant he inherited his father's title and responsibilities.
He held many important positions:
- He was the Chairman of Northumberland County Council from 1967 to 1979. This meant he led the local government in Northumberland.
- He also led several companies and societies.
- From 1988 to 1999, he was the Chancellor of the University of Newcastle. This is a ceremonial head role for the university.
- He served as Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland from 1984 to 2000. A Lord Lieutenant is the King's personal representative in a county.
- From 1989 to 2001, he was the Lord Steward of the Household. This is a very senior role in the Royal Household. He was in charge of many royal events and staff.
Honours and Retirement
Matthew Ridley received high honours for his service. In 1992, he was made a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. This is one of the most important awards in Britain. In 1994, he was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order. This award is given for personal service to the monarch.
He retired from the House of Lords in 1999. This was because of the House of Lords Act 1999. This new law changed how people with inherited titles could be members of the House of Lords. He chose not to stand for election to keep his seat.
Family Life
Matthew Ridley married Lady Anne Katharine Gabrielle Lumley on 3 January 1953. Lady Anne was the daughter of Lawrence Lumley, 11th Earl of Scarbrough. They had four children together:
- the Hon. Cecilia Anne Ridley (born 1953)
- the Hon. Rose Emily Ridley (1956–2020), who married Owen Paterson
- Matthew White Ridley, 5th Viscount Ridley (born 1958), who inherited his father's title
- the Hon. Mary Victoria Ridley (born 1962)
Matthew Ridley passed away on 22 March 2012. His only son, Matthew White Ridley, became the 5th Viscount Ridley.
