Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Ryder, Richard
RYDER, RICHARD (1766–1832), politician, second son of Nathaniel Ryder, first baron Harrowby [see Ryder, Sir Dudley], by Elizabeth, daughter and coheiress of Richard Terrick [q. v.], bishop of London, was born 5 July 1766. Dudley Ryder, first earl of Harrowby [q. v.] and Henry Ryder [q. v.] were his brothers. After being educated at Harrow, he proceeded to St. John's College, Cambridge, where he graduated M.A. in 1787. He was admitted a student of Lincoln's Inn, 9 Feb. 1788, and was called to the bar, 19 Nov. 1791. Having entered parliament in February 1795, at a by-election, for Tiverton, where his family had considerable influence, he retained the seat for thirty-five years, retiring at the dissolution in 1830. He was appointed second justice of the great sessions for the counties of Carmarthen, Cardigan, and Pembroke, in July 1804, and continued to act as a Welsh judge until 1807. He also took office under the Duke of Portland as a lord-commissioner of the treasury, 16 Sept. 1807. He was sworn in a member of the privy council, 25 Nov. 1807, and promoted to be judge-advocate-general, 4 Dec. following. In the ministry of Spencer Perceval [q. v.], from 1 Nov. 1809 to June 1812, he was secretary of state for the home department, and was ex officio a commissioner of the board of control for the affairs of India. He proved himself a useful speaker in defence of ministerial measures. He was elected a bencher of Lincoln's Inn in 1812, and served as treasurer in 1819. For many years he held, too, the lucrative appointment of registrar of the consistory court. He died at his seat, Westbrook Hay, Hertfordshire, 18 Sept. 1832. He married, 1 Aug. 1799, Frederica, daughter and heiress of Sir John Skynner, knt., lord chief baron of the exchequer; she died 8 Aug. 1821. By her Ryder left an only surviving daughter, Susan.
[Foster's Peerage; Parliamentary Returns; Gent. Mag.; Royal Kalendar; Haydn's Book of Dignities.]