Matilda Ridout Edgar

Matilda Ridout Edgar (29 September 1844 – 29 September 1910) was a Canadian historian and feminist.

She was born Matilda Ridout, became Matilda Edgar by marriage, and became Lady Edgar in 1898 when her husband was knighted.

The mother of nine children, she turned to historical research and writing when in her forties.

She published three books in her lifetime and was working on a fourth when she died.

She was active in a number of Toronto-based societies and in her later years was a strong advocate of women's causes.

Early years

Matilda Ridout was born in Toronto, Province of Canada, on 29 September 1844, the fifth child and second daughter of Thomas Gibbs Ridout and Matilda Ann Bramley.

Her grandfather, Thomas Ridout of Sherborne, Dorset, was surveyor general of Upper Canada from 1810 to 1829.

Her father was the first cashier of the Bank of Upper Canada from 1822 until he retired in 1861.

Her father died a few months after retiring, and his mother was left with little money to support a family of nine.

On 5 September 1865 Matilda married James David Edgar, a barrister, lawyer and author, becoming Matilda Edgar.

The marriage of "Tillie" (Matilda) and James was happy and loving, as is shown by the letters he wrote to her daily when politics took him to Ottawa.

She enjoyed raising their three daughters and six sons, although they left her with little free time.

Eight of the children lived into adulthood.

Their eldest son was James Frederic Edgar, born on 6 July 1866.

Their second surviving son was Pelham Edgar and their oldest daughter was Maud.