Elizabeth Ritchie

Elizabeth Ritchie or Elizabeth Mortimer (2 February 1754 – 9 April 1835) was a British Methodist biographer. She is noted for caring for John Wesley and writing about his final days.

Life Ritchie was born into a Methodist family in Otley. Her mother was Beatrice (born Robinson) and her father, John Ritchie was a retired Scottish naval surgeon. She was their second child. Her father continued as a surgeon in Wharfedale in Yorkshire where he had married her mother. Her family were strict Methodists and John Wesley stayed at their house. When she was twelve she went to say with a "Mrs H" and there she enjoyed attending Church of England services. She rebelled against Methodism and even after her return home she continued to not be a Methodist. In June 1772 she reestablished her friendship with John Wesley and by 1774 she was leading classes. Ritchie moved into John Wesley's house in November 1790 when he had already lost much of his sight. She would read to him from 5:30 in the morning. Wesley's physician, John Whitehead, requested that Ritchie should write an account of his final days.

Whitehead read from Richie's account at his funeral and her short work was published.

Ritchie died in London in 1835.