Ridpath, George
| Dates | c.1700-13 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | London | ||
| Vocation | Journalist and pamphleteer | ||
| Place of Birth | Berwickshire | ||
| Marriage | Esther Markland | ||
| Issue | |||
| Place of birth | Source | Oxford Dictionary of National Biography |
Graduated Edinburgh University (1699). Banished from Scotland for involvement, if not the ringleader, in anti-Catholic activities. Went to London and earned his living through writing. First work published in 1687 'Shorthand yet Shorter'. Also wrote under pseudonym Will Laick, as a journalist. After the Union, writings more directed to religious matters including the title 'The Scots Representations to Her Majesty Against Setting up the Common Prayer Book in Scotland' (1711). Imprisoned in Newgate for authoring libelous material (September 1712) and released in October. Continued to write and was tried at the Guildhall (February 1713). Found guilty but fled London to avoid being sentenced. Initially went to Scotland then to Rotterdam and Hanover. Died 1726.
