(1842 - 1904)
Matthew White, first Viscount Ridley was the son of Sir Matthew White Ridley, fourth Baronet (1807–1877) of Blagdon, Northumberland. He was educated at Harrow and later at Balliol College, Oxford. In 1868 he became Conservative MP for North Northumberland, holding the seat until 1885 and later sitting for Blackpool. When Lord Salisbury formed a government in 1885, Ridley became Financial Secretary to the Treasury. He served as Home Secretary under the leadership of the Marquess of Salisbury from 1895 until 1900, when he resigned and took a peerage as Viscount Ridley of Blagdon and Blyth. The original portrait on which this print is based remains at the family estate of Blagdon, in Northumberland.
