William Henry Ridley was a priest in the Church of England and an author
Background
Ridley, born on 2 April 1816, was eldest son of Henry Colborne Ridley (1780–1832), rector of Hambleden, near Henley-on-Thames, a descendant of the Ridleys of Willimoteswick. His mother was Mary, daughter of James Ferrier of Lincoln"s Inn Fields.
Education
He matriculated from Christ Church, Oxford, on 15 May 1834, was a student 1836-1841, and graduated Bachelor of Arts in 1838, and Master of Arts
Career
In 1840. He succeeded to the family living of Hambleden on 25 July 1840, and continued there until his death. In 1859 he became rural dean of Wycombe, and in 1871 an honorary canon of Christ Church, Oxford. He died at Brighton on 17 February 1882, having married, on 25 August
1841, Sophia Albertina, second daughter of Charles Richard Sumner, bishop of Winchester.
By her, who died on 1 July 1884, he had an only son, Henry Colborne Mannoir Ridley.