Hello Noells,
Since in 1851 John Ridley was a student at Trinity College, Dublin, I think that this is he here about
1/2 way down Page 200 of 266 of this free online digitized record.
Title: Index to Admissions Records, 1848-1868
Name(s): Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland)
Department: Manuscripts & Archives Research Library, Trinity College Dublin
Item No.: IE TCD MUN V 24/4
Is part of: Trinity College Dublin Alumni Records & Registers (Genealogy Resources)
Digital No.: MUN-V-24-4_199
Abstract: Index to entrance books 1750-68, 1769-1825, 1825-46. Entrance books are grossly alphabetical within each group of years, giving name, date of entry (passing matriculation and of paying fees), name of College tutor and further observations. The folio numbers jump from 104v to 113r and then from 120v to 105r and finally 112v to 121r.
https://www.tcd.ie/Library/manuscripts/collections/genealogy.phpThen of course, you need to look at pages 86 and 87 of 546 in this volume on the same website:
Title: Admissions Records, 1847-1876
Alternative Title: Entrance books
Name(s): Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland)
Department: Manuscripts & Archives Research Library, Trinity College Dublin
Item No.: IE TCD MUN V 23/6
Is part of: Trinity College Dublin Alumni Records & Registers (Genealogy Resources)
Digital No.: MUN-V-23-6_087
Note: folios 64v and 65r ; 223v and 224r ; 255v and 256r are glued together.
Abstract: Trinity entrance books/matriculation register chronologically providing date of entry, name and age at entry with their religion, father's name and profession, county of birth, and place of previous education.
There you will find (entered in Latin) that John Ridley was the son of Walter Ridley, deceased, was Anglican, 22 years old and born in Cumberland.
And thirdly, you'll find him summarized on page 1030 of 1078 in
Alumni Dublinenses: A Register of the Students, Graduates, Professors, and Provosts of Trinity College, in the University of Dublin 1593-1860. where you'll see that he accomplished his B.A. in 1856 and his M.A. in 1871.
Cheers,
Westoe