Ruddiman, Thomas

Biography

Printer, classical scholar and librarian. Born 1674, Raggel, Banffshire. Educated at Inverboyndie parish school, then won a prize and bursary to study at King's Coll., matriculated 1690. Graduated M.A 1694. Worked as tutor to the family of Sir John Ogilvy, then Robert Young. Schoolmaster at Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire 1695. Moved to Edinburgh 1700, began work as a copyist in the Advocates' Library. Assistant librarian, 1702. Employed by Robert Freebairn as a proofreader and editor, 1706. Established his own printing business by 1712. Published Rudiments of the Latin tongue 1714. Founded a literary society in Edinburgh 1718. Took over printing of the Caledonian Mercury 1724, acquired whole interest in the newspaper 1729. Appointed to the University of Edinburgh 1728. Keeper of the Advocates' Library, 1730-52. Died Edinburgh 1757. Library sold in Edinburgh 1758.

Biography Date

1674-1757

Biography References

LOC, CERL; DNB; Fasti 217; Drummond 307

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