Aurelian Ridsdale

Sir Edward Aurelian Ridsdale was born on 23 February 1864 and died on 6 September 1923. He was a British politician affiliated with the Liberal Party and a prominent member of the British Red Cross Society.

Ridsdale was the eldest son of Edward Lucas Ridsdale, who resided in Rottingdean, Sussex. He had at least one sibling, Lucy Ridsdale, who married Stanley Baldwin, a notable political figure. His educational background includes attendance at University College School and the Royal School of Mines.

In his political career, Ridsdale served as a Member of Parliament representing Brighton from 1906 until 1910. He chose not to seek re-election in 1910 due to disagreements with government policy during that period.

His involvement with the British Red Cross Society was significant. He served as chairman of its Executive Committee from 1912 to 1914. Following that, he held the position of deputy chairman from 1914 to 1919. During the First World War, his contributions to the organization were recognized with the award of the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) in the 1920 civilian war honours.

Ridsdale was also a Fellow of the Geographical Society, indicating involvement or interest in geographical studies.

In terms of family connections, Ridsdale was married to Susan Stirling, the daughter of J. R. Findlater of Aberlour, Banffshire. His family includes a nephew, Sir Julian Ridsdale, who later served as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Harwich for an extended period.

The primary source of biographical information is an obituary published in The Times on 8 September 1923. Additional records include contributions in Parliament documented in Hansard from 1803 to 2005.