Ruth Kirby-Smith grew up in Northern Ireland and studied politics at Queen's University, Belfast during the civil rights era. She completed a Masters in City Planning and worked in...ver maisRuth Kirby-Smith grew up in Northern Ireland and studied politics at Queen's University, Belfast during the civil rights era. She completed a Masters in City Planning and worked in Stormont and London. In 1978 she joined a team at Cambridge University undertaking research into the regeneration of the inner City. When her children were born, she took time out and set up a business, designing and selling baby products, which she ran successfully for the next thirty years. Now retired, she lives in Leeds with her husband and enjoys travelling, reading, writing, golf, tennis and spending time with her grandchildren.ver menos