RAMÉ, MARIA LOUISE (’Ouida'). [See De la Ramée.]
RAMSAY, ALEXANDER (1822–1909), Scottish journalist, son of Alexander Ramsay, sheep farmer, was born in Glasgow on 22 May 1822. In 1824 his family removed to Edinburgh, where he was educated at Gillespie free school, and where, in 1836, he entered the printing office of Oliver and Boyd. The years 1843-44 he spent in London in the government printing office of T. and J. W. Harrison. Returning to Edinburgh in 1846, he engaged in literary work of different kinds until, in 1847, he was appointed editor of the 'Banffshire Journal,' a post which he filled for sixty-two years. He greatly raised the position of that newspaper, in which he gave prominence to the subject of the sea fisheries, and made a special feature of agriculture and the pure breeding of cattle. He was joint editor of vols. 2 (1872) and 3 (1875) of the ’Aberdeen-Angus Herd Book,' and sole editor of vols. 4 to 33 (1876-1905). Therein he performed a monumental work of a national kind, which was recognised in 1898 by a presentation from breeders of polled cattle throughout the United Kingdom and others; and later by the presentation of a cheque for 150l by members of the Herd Book Society. He was elected provost of Banff in 1894, and next year received the hon. degree of LL.D. from Aberdeen University. He was twice married. He died at Earlhill, Banff, on 1 April 1909. A portrait, painted by Miss Evans, is in possession of the family. Many of his contributions to the 'Banffshire Journal' were reprinted as pamphlets. He also wrote a ' Life of Goldsmith,' privately circulated; and a ' History of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland,' 1879.
[Obituary in Banffshire Journal, reprinted as a pamphlet (with portrait); information from the family; personal knowledge.]
RANDALL, RICHARD WILLIAM (1824–1906), dean of Chichester, born at Newbury, Berkshire, on 13 April 1824, was eldest son of James Randall, archdeacon of Berkshire, by his wife Rebe, only daughter of Richard Lowndes of Rose Hill, Dorking. A younger brother, James Leshe, was appointed suffragan bishop of Reading in 1889. Richard entered Winchester College in 1836, and matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford, on 12 May 1842. He graduated B.A. in 1846, with an hon. fourth class in classics, and proceeded M.A. in 1849 and D.D. in 1892. In 1847 he was ordained to the curacy of Binfield, Berkshire, and in 1851 was nominated to the rectory of Lavington-cum-Graffham, Sussex, in succession to Archdeacon (afterwards Cardinal) Manning [q. v.], who had just seceded to Rome. At Lavington Randall's innovations in high church doctrine and ritual excited some opposition. His name became widely known in high church circles, and he was frequently chosen by Bishop Samuel Wilberforce [q. v.] as preacher of Lenten sermons at Oxford.
In 1868 Randall was presented by the trustees to the new parish of All Saints, Clifton. Under his care All Saints became the centre of high church practice and teaching. Daily services as well as daily celebrations of the holy communion were instituted, and lectures, Bible classes, guilds, and confraternities were organised in the parish. Randall showed himself a capable administrator, and raised large sums in support of church work. Although a staunch ritualist and a supporter of the English Church Union, he avoided romanising excesses. In 1873, owing to complaints as to certain practices at All Saints, Charles John Ellicott [q. v. Suppl. II], bishop of Gloucester, refused to license curates to the church, but he declined to allow proceedings to be taken against Randall under the Pubhc Worship Regulation Act. In 1889 the bishop resumed confirmations in the church, and in 1891 bestowed on Randall an honorary canonry in the cathedral, where he occupied the stall formerly held by his father.
In February 1892 Randall was appointed by Lord Salisbury dean of Chichester. For ten years he earnestly devoted himself to his duties, and he was select preacher at Oxford in 1893-4. Owing to ill-health he retired in 1902, and settled in London. He died at Bournemouth on 23 Dec. 1906, and was buried at Branksome. On 6 Nov. 1849 he married Wilhelmina, daughter of George Augustus Bruxner of the Manor House, Binfield, Berkshire, who survived him with three sons and three daughters.
Randall's published volumes, which were mainly devotional, included: 1. 'Public Catechising, the Church's Method of Training her Children,' two papers read at the Church Congress in 1873 and 1883 respectively; 2nd edit. 1888. 2. 'Life in the Catholic Church: its Blessings and
