The British Musical Biography

[E] Ridley, William, organist, born at
Newark, Nottingham, 1820. Articled pupil
of Dr. Dearie. F.C.O. Organist of Swaffham
Parish Church ; Kington Parish Church ;
and, 1853-78, of West Derby Parish Church,
Liverpool. In 1878 he succeeded his son,
S. Claude Ridley {q.v.), at St. John the
Baptists', Tue Brook. He was for some time
private organist to the Earl of Oxford, and
conductor of the Kington Choral Society.
During his thirty-three years' residence in
Liverpool, he did much to raise the standard
of church services. His compilation of .301
chants, ancient and modern, went through
eight editions ; and he was the composer of
many hymn tunes. He died at Liverpool,
October 5, 1886. His son,

entry id: 344-R-24