In Ultima Underworld, there are quite a few classes to play. Those include warrior, druid, tinker, etc. My question is... what class would you recommend to play for a someone new to the game? I am looking to make a character that is proficient in both melee and magic.

Druid.
They are good at both melee and magic, and they can start with max STR, which is the most important stat in UU1, since it governs how much you can carry.
Druids can also start with nice secondary skills like Lore and Search IIRC.

Take the druid.

He is the second best spellcaster and can be very strong physically. Strength is the most important stat in UW, as it determines how much you can carry. You might want to shoot at something above 25. If you want to wear good armor and carry all the important items around you want to be strong.

The druid also starts with attack, defense, mana and casting skills. You can then chose to pick an additional skill between track, lore and search. Lore is a useful skill, too.

What is IIRC? And I was looking at the map for the first level of the dungeon, just to see what I am up against here (haha), and I noticed in one of the rooms there is a fake wall that leads to a shine. In gameplay, how do I detect false walls, hidden switches, etc.? I'm sorry about the questions, I am a newbie with this game. But any help is appreciated!

IIRC: If I remember correctly.
Search skille makes it easier to see the secret doors.

When you look at the wall, it says that you see a secret door. Secret doors also show on your automap, as you can see that there is another corridor connecting to the one you've just walked along. When you see those intersections, take a closer look at the wall and you will see the secret door. It works without the search skill, too, but some people say that it's easier with some points in search. I never noticed a difference.

AFAIK does a hidden switch only exist in UW2. And there you need a few points in search, to be able to discover that by manipulating the wall.

The druid is fine. Out of Track, Lore, and Search, take Lore because it helps to identify items that may be magical.

-When you find out what rune combo's can cast a spell, write it down so you don't have to carry what ever it is. Also write down mantras when you find them (some of those you don't even have the option to carry with you).

-Add a few points in Acrobat early; dying of a stubbed toe is a thing in this game (if you jump into an upward slope, you may take a few points of damage if you have no skill points in acrobat). You don't need many, though. A few points in swimming can also be useful if this is your first time.

-Raise Attack and Defense, and choose one melee weapon to put skill points in (unarmed counts, if that's your choice).

-Don't worry about trying to wear plate armor on your first play through; it is very heavy and you don't know what else you might need/want.

Definitely the Druid - I remember being very disappointed, that the Paladin is a really weak class in Ultima Underworld... the Druid is the guy you want to choose for maximum fun in this game. Look that you have at least 25 strength - so you'll be able to wear the best armor.

You can finish the game with any character, but 19 STR will be more frustrating than having 25-30 STR.
To increase your mana you need to increase your Mana skill from a Shrine.

One thing: if the Shepherd is an available class, do not choose it, as it is the worst class.

If you play an Ultima game and are asked questions at the start, never choose the humble choice. (A humble choice will only be presented once unless you choose it.) Doing so will give you lower stats and, in Ultima IV, choosing the humble choice will cause you to start as a level 1 shepherd outside a ruined town.

(The only exception is if you are already familiar with the game and want a challenge.)

Hey!
@dtgreene: Is this really a thing in the Ultima Universe? Like.. What the Fuzz. I was asked in the beginning why i was in that dungeon and i told the guy, that i am a criminal but actually not have done a crime and am ungulty there. Hope this is not the "humble" choice (there was an option, i want to rescue a girl).
And yeah, the Shepherd class was available, but it didnt apeal me^^

You choose class yourself in the UU games; it's in the regular Ultima games your class is determined by your answers to the gupsy woman.

The shepherd only gets 56 instead of 60 stat points (bonus points included), so yes, he technically is the worst class, but it doesn't make much difference gameplay wise.

Yes, the class you choose isn't a choice of life and death - you can beat the game with every character. The druid is the most versatile and potent though. 25 strenght (or more) would be a good choice if you wanted to use the best gear, but it's completely up to you if you want to run through the dungeons in a chain mail or a full plate. Nothing of it disqualifies you from playing the game. ;)