Ridley, Nicholas, an English clergyman. Bishop of London in the reigns of Edward VI., and his successor Mary; born about the commencement of the 16th century; filled the office of protector of Cambridge University. In 1547 he was chosen to the see of Rochester, and in 1550 superseded Bonner as Bishop of London. On the death of Edward he was involved in an attempt to secure the Protestant ascendancy by placing the Lady Jane Grey on the throne. This, together with his connection to Cranmer, led to his being tried for heresy; he was found guilty, and condemned to the stake. This sentence he underwent with the greatest fortitude, in company with his friend and fellow-sufferer Latimer, Oct. 10, 1555, in Oxford.
Entry from Everybody's Cyclopedia,
1912.