* It could be a misspelling or variation of a more common author's name. Double check for any typographical errors. Perhaps the name is William Barrett Ridgely, or a similar variation.
* The author may have written under a pseudonym. If you have any additional information, such as the type of book or the time period it was published, this might help narrow down the search.
* The author may be a relatively unknown or unpublished writer. It's possible they have written works that are not widely available or published.
To find more information, you could try:
* Searching online databases: Try searching on websites like WorldCat, Library of Congress, and Google Books.
* Checking with libraries and archives: Local libraries or archives may have records of local authors.
* Looking for biographical information: Try searching for the author's name on genealogy websites or online biographical databases.
If you can provide more details about the author or their work, I might be able to offer more specific assistance.