RICHARDSON, RALPH (1812-97) was born at Capenhurst, in Cheshire, and educated at Chester Grammar School and Edinburgh University, where he graduated M.D. He then proceeded to Downing College, Cambridge, where he graduated M.A. and became a fellow. At the age of 28 he married a daughter of G. T. Seymour, of Wrackhall, Somerset. In 1851 Richardson sailed in the Maori for New Zealand and settled in Marlborough, where he bought the Meadowbank estate, near Blenheim. He never practised his profession. In 1853 he was called to the Legislative Council, of which he was a member for three years. He was chosen in 1856 for territorial reasons as a member of Fox's short-lived executive. Returning to England in 1858, he bought an estate in Devonshire and lived there until the eighties, when he removed to London. He died in 1897.

His son, Ralph RICHARDSON (1848-95) was member of Parliament for Nelson Suburbs (1871-73), when he resigned to return to England.

Family information from G.B. Richardson; Parlty Record; Saunders; Buick, Marlborough.

Reference: Volume 2, page 121

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