Henry Ratcliffe

Henry Ratcliffe (4 November 1808 – 25 May 1877) was an English actuary and friendly society administrator.

Ratcliffe soon displayed great financial ability, and with conspicuous success devoted himself to vital statistics, at the time a comparatively new study.

In 1850 he brought out his ‘Observations of the Rate of Mortality and Sickness existing among Friendly Societies,’ which at once became a standard authority.

In 1852 Ratcliffe issued a supplement, giving further financial details, and recommending a quinquennial valuation of the assets and liabilities of all friendly societies—a suggestion which was adopted by government in 1870.

In 1871 he undertook a special valuation of his society, which his labours had placed on a sound actuarial basis.