Sir Matthew White Ridley, 2nd Baronet (28 October 1745 – 9 April 1813) was a Northumbrian politician and landowner.
He was the son of Matthew Ridley (1716-1778) (Governor of the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Company of Merchant Adventurers, four times Mayor of and five times Member of Parliament for Newcastle) and Elizabeth White (1721-1764) , daughter of Matthew White, a prominent Newcastle merchant of Blagdon Hall, Stannington, Northumberland, and sister of Sir Matthew White, 1st Baronet of Blagdon.
He succeeded to the Baronetcy of Blagdon and to the estate at Blagdon Hall on the death in 1763 of his uncle.
He followed his father as Governor of the Company of Merchant Adventurers.
He was appointed Chief Magistrate for Newcastle on three occasions and was Member of Parliament (MP) for Morpeth 1768-1774 and Newcastle 1774-1812.
An impressive monument to his memory stands in the nave of St Nicholas' Cathedral, Newcastle. Ridley is depicted in full length life size dressed in a Roman toga. The long inscription gives details of his service to the community.
He married Sarah Colborne in 1777 and was succeeded on his death by his elder son Matthew.
His second son Nicholas (1779-1854) was created Baron Colborne in 1839. His great grandson, the 5th Baronet, was created Viscount Ridley in 1900.
His third son, Henry Colborne Ridley, and grandson William Henry Ridley were both Rectors of Hambleden, Bucks.
| Parliament of Great Britain | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Viscount Garlies Thomas Duncombe |
Member of Parliament for Morpeth 1768 – 1774 With: Peter Beckford |
Succeeded by Francis Eyre Peter Delmé |
| Preceded by Matthew Ridley Sir Walter Calverley-Blackett, Bt |
Member of Parliament for Newcastle-upon-Tyne 1774 – 1800 With: Sir Walter Calverley-Blackett, Bt to 1777 Sir John Trevelyan, Bt 1777–1780 Andrew Robinson Bowes 1780–1784 Charles Brandling 1784–1798 Charles John Brandling from 1798 |
Succeeded by Parliament of the United Kingdom |
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
| Preceded by Parliament of Great Britain |
Member of Parliament for Newcastle-upon-Tyne 1801 – 1812 With: Charles John Brandling |
Succeeded by Cuthbert Ellison Matthew Ridley |
| Baronetage of Great Britain | ||
| Preceded by Matthew White |
Baronet (of Blagdon) 1763–1813 |
Succeeded by Matthew White Ridley |