Roy Ridley
Encyclopedia
Maurice Roy Ridley was a writer
and poet
, Fellow and Chaplain of Balliol College, Oxford
. He was a model for the fictional character Lord Peter Wimsey
.
and Balliol College, Oxford
. Dorothy L. Sayers
based the physical description of her fictional character Lord Peter Wimsey
on that of Ridley after seeing him read his poem "Oxford" at the Encaenia ceremony in July 1913. (The poem went on to win the Newdigate Prize
.)
From 1920 to 1945 Ridley was a Fellow and Tutor of Balliol. Ridley spent 1930-1 as a visiting professor at Bowdoin College
. He was a Lecturer at Bedford College from 1948.
Ridley was also reputedly the only priest of the Church of England ever to celebrate mass while wearing a monocle
. Canadian author Robertson Davies
refers to a cocktail (sherry with "a generous dollop" of gin) he drank at Balliol College, Oxford
as "a Roy Ridley special."
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, Fellow and Chaplain of Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
. He was a model for the fictional character Lord Peter Wimsey
Lord Peter Wimsey
Lord Peter Death Bredon Wimsey is a bon vivant amateur sleuth in a series of detective novels and short stories by Dorothy L. Sayers, in which he solves mysteries; usually, but not always, murders...
.
Life
Ridley was educated at CliftonClifton College
Clifton College is a co-educational independent school in Clifton, Bristol, England, founded in 1862. In its early years it was notable for emphasising science in the curriculum, and for being less concerned with social elitism, e.g. by admitting day-boys on equal terms and providing a dedicated...
and Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
. Dorothy L. Sayers
Dorothy L. Sayers
Dorothy Leigh Sayers was a renowned English crime writer, poet, playwright, essayist, translator and Christian humanist. She was also a student of classical and modern languages...
based the physical description of her fictional character Lord Peter Wimsey
Lord Peter Wimsey
Lord Peter Death Bredon Wimsey is a bon vivant amateur sleuth in a series of detective novels and short stories by Dorothy L. Sayers, in which he solves mysteries; usually, but not always, murders...
on that of Ridley after seeing him read his poem "Oxford" at the Encaenia ceremony in July 1913. (The poem went on to win the Newdigate Prize
Newdigate prize
Sir Roger Newdigate's Prize is awarded to students of the University of Oxford for Best Composition in English verse by an undergraduate who has been admitted to Oxford within the previous four years. It was founded by Sir Roger Newdigate, Bt in the 18th century...
.)
From 1920 to 1945 Ridley was a Fellow and Tutor of Balliol. Ridley spent 1930-1 as a visiting professor at Bowdoin College
Bowdoin College
Bowdoin College , founded in 1794, is an elite private liberal arts college located in the coastal Maine town of Brunswick, Maine. As of 2011, U.S. News and World Report ranks Bowdoin 6th among liberal arts colleges in the United States. At times, it was ranked as high as 4th in the country. It is...
. He was a Lecturer at Bedford College from 1948.
Ridley was also reputedly the only priest of the Church of England ever to celebrate mass while wearing a monocle
Monocle
A monocle is a type of corrective lens used to correct or enhance the vision in only one eye. It consists of a circular lens, generally with a wire ring around the circumference that can be attached to a string. The other end of the string is then connected to the wearer's clothing to avoid losing...
. Canadian author Robertson Davies
Robertson Davies
William Robertson Davies, CC, OOnt, FRSC, FRSL was a Canadian novelist, playwright, critic, journalist, and professor. He was one of Canada's best-known and most popular authors, and one of its most distinguished "men of letters", a term Davies is variously said to have gladly accepted for himself...
refers to a cocktail (sherry with "a generous dollop" of gin) he drank at Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
as "a Roy Ridley special."
Works
- Studies in Three Literatures : English, Latin, Greek Contrasts and Comparisons. ISBN 0-313-20189-7