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.

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.

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

thumb|200px|[[Matthew White Ridley, 1st Viscount Ridley]]

  • Sir Matthew White, 1st Baronet (c. 1727 – 1763)
  • Sir Matthew White Ridley, 2nd Baronet (1745–1813)
  • Sir Matthew White Ridley, 3rd Baronet (1778–1836)
  • Sir Matthew White Ridley, 4th Baronet (1807–1877)
  • Sir Matthew White Ridley, 5th Baronet (1842–1904) (created Viscount Ridley in 1900)

Viscount Ridley (1900 - present)

  • Matthew White Ridley, 1st Viscount Ridley, 5th Baronet (1842–1904)
  • Matthew White Ridley, 2nd Viscount Ridley, 6th Baronet (1874–1916)
  • Matthew White Ridley, 3rd Viscount Ridley, 7th Baronet (1902–1964)
  • Matthew White Ridley, 4th Viscount Ridley, 8th Baronet (1925–2012)
  • Matthew White Ridley, 5th Viscount Ridley, 9th Baronet (born 1958)

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

Title succession chart

See also

  • Baron Colborne
  • Baron Ridley of Liddesdale
  • Viscount Ridley - Landholders of Blyth

Notes

References

  • Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990.