James L. Ridgely

James Lot Ridgely (January 27, 1807 – November 16, 1881) was an American lawyer and politician from Baltimore, Maryland, who has been called "the father of modern, ethical Odd Fellowship".

Biography Ridgely went to Mount St. Mary's College in Emmittsburg and pursued his judicial studies at the University of Maryland School of Law. He was admitted to the Baltimore Bar in 1828. He was elected to the Baltimore City Council in 1834 and 1835. Ridgely served a term in the Maryland House of Delegates in 1838. Later, he served two terms as the Baltimore County Register of Wills. Ridgely also represented Baltimore County as a member of the 1850 and 1864 Maryland Constitutional Conventions. During a portion of the Lincoln administration, Ridgely served as United States Collector of Internal Revenue.

Statue in Baltimore A bronze statue of Ridgely was erected in Harlem Square Park, Baltimore, in 1885.

Writings The Odd-fellows' Pocket Companion: A Correct Guide in All Matters Relating to Odd-fellowship (1867) History of American Odd Fellowship: The First Decade (1878)