Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Rugge, Thomas
RUGGE, THOMAS (d. 1672?), diarist, was a descendant of John Rugge, who was created archdeacon of Wells in place of John Cotterell in 1572; John Rugge was noted for his knowledge of civil law, which he studied in Germany; became vicar of Wynford in 1573, a canon of Westminster in 1576, and died in 1581. Thomas was born in London, and was a citizen throughout the civil war. In 1659 he commenced his manuscript diary, entitled ‘Mercurius Politicus Redivivus, or a collection of the most materiall Occurances and Transactions in Publick Affairs. Since Anno Dom. 1659 until [28 March 1672] serving as an annuall diurnall for future Satisfaction and Information. Together with a Table,’ &c. The table is imperfect, but the headlines to each page serve as some indication of the contents, comprised in two large quarto volumes. The diary seems to have been compiled from news-sheets, much after the manner of Narcissus Luttrell. It is fullest in the accounts it gives of doings in London, and a good half is occupied with the events of 1661–2. It ceases abruptly in 1672, when it is supposed that Rugge died. The diary has never been printed, and its independent interest is not indeed great. But it corroborates Pepys in many particulars, and it was used by Lingard during the compilation of the last volume of his ‘History.’ It belonged in 1693 to Thomas Grey, second earl of Stamford [q. v.], and was purchased by the British Museum (where it now forms Add. MSS. 10116, 10117) at Heber's sale in February 1836. A transcript by J. Meares of the first volume of Rugge's work (dated 1687), somewhat more complete than that in the British Museum, is in private hands.
[Kennett's Collections (Lansdowne MS. 982 f. 16); Pepys's Diary, ed. Braybrooke.]
Dictionary of National Biography, Errata (1904), p.240
N.B.— f.e. stands for from end and l.l. for last line
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| 392 | i | 2 | Rugge, Thomas: after 1836. insert A transcript by J. Meares of the first volume of Rugge's work, dated 1687, somewhat more complete than that in the British Museum, belongs to Mrs. Tucker, 75 Warwick Road, London, S.W. |