Ursula Lutyens

Ursula Ridley, Viscountess Ridley (; 31 October 1904 – 28 December 1967) was a British magistrate, social campaigner, and charity worker.

Early life Ursula was born at 26 Bloomsbury Square on 31 October 1904. Ursula’s father was the architect Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens and her mother was Lady Emily Bulwer-Lytton. She had four siblings:

Barbara Lutyens (1898–1981), second wife of Euan Wallace (1892–1941), Minister of Transport. Robert Lutyens (1901–1971), interior designer. Designed the façade used for over 40 Marks & Spencer stores. (Agnes) Elisabeth Lutyens (1906–1983), a well-known composer. Second marriage to the conductor Edward Clark. (Edith Penelope) Mary Lutyens (1908–1999), a writer known for her books about the philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti.

She was cared for in childhood by Alice Louisa Sleath, the Lutyens's family nanny.

Marriage and children Ursula Lutyens married Matthew White Ridley, 3rd Viscount Ridley on 13 Oct 1924 at St Margaret's, Westminster. According to a newspaper report, she chose to get married on the 13th as it was her lucky number. Her wedding reception was at 13 Mansfield Street (also her residence as recorded on the marriage certificate) and 13 children dressed in green attended the reception. Sir James Calvert Spence, the eminent paediatrician, worked at the hospital and there developed his approach of social paediatrics.

Justice of the Peace Lady Ridley was appointed as a magistrate for Northumberland in 1944. She also used her speech to warn her fellow magistrates against lecturing those in the dock when sentencing. She doubted that it did any good and claimed that it actually provoked harmful resentment.

Other positions

Chair, Women's Welfare Clinic, Shieldfield Green, Newcastle (1935-1947) Chair, Princess Mary Maternity Hospital, Newcastle Management Committee Chair, Wansbeck Division Conservative Association, Women's Branch Member, Newcastle Hospital Management Board (pre-NHS) Co-opted member, NSPCC Child Care Committee Vice-Chair, Bridge in Britain Association (promoting Israeli-British student exchanges) Chair and President, Family Planning Association, Newcastle Branch

Honours and awards In the 1953 Coronation Honours, Ursula Ridley was awarded the OBE for public services in Northumberland.

Death An inquest found that Ursula Ridley died by suicide. It was reported that she had been suffering from ill-health since the death of her husband, four years previously.