Ruggles, Samuel B. (Samuel Bulkley), 1800-1881

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Samuel Bulkley Ruggles (1800-1881) was a lawyer, public servant and real estate developer in New York City. He actively promoted public works such as the Croton Aqueduct system to bring water to New York City. As Canal Commissioner, 1839-1858, he worked to improve the Erie Canal system. He also served as a trustee of Columbia College and the Astor Library

From the guide to the Samuel B. Ruggles papers, 1801-1881, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)

Lawyer and canal commissioner in New York, 1839-1858.

From the description of Letters, 1839-1857. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 36635477

Samuel Bulkley Ruggles (1800-1881) graduated from Yale College in 1814 and was a New York City lawyer. He was also a member of the New York State Legislature and a trustee of Columbia College.

From the guide to the Samuel B. Ruggles abstract of title, circa 1674-1850, (Brooklyn Historical Society)

Born in New Milford, Conn., a successful lawyer in New York City, but between 1831 and 1851 gave up his practice to devote himself to public affairs. Promoted real-estate development in the city and was mainly responsible for the laying out of Gramercy Park. Promoted the new Croton water system for the city and other improvements. He helped to organize the Erie RR and the Union Pacific RR.

From the description of Letter, Nov. 28, 1862. (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library). WorldCat record id: 54354838

Samuel Ruggles, a teacher at the Foreign Mission school in Cornwall, Connecticut, became one of the first missionary teachers in Hawaii (then called the Sandwich Islands) for the American Board of Missions.

From the description of Samuel and Nancy Ruggles papers, 1819-1820 (inclusive), [microform]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122590545

Samuel Bulkley Ruggles (1800-1881) was a lawyer, public servant and real estate developer in New York City.

He actively promoted public works such as the Croton Aqueduct system to bring water to New York City. As Canal Commissioner, 1839-1858, he worked to improve the Erie Canal system. He also served as a trustee of Columbia College and the Astor Library.

From the description of Samuel B. Ruggles papers, 1801-1881. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122532360

Alexander Dallas Bache (1806-1867) was an important scientific reformer during the early nineteenth century. From his position as superintendent of the United States Coast Survey, and through leadership roles in the scientific institutions of the time, Bache helped bring American science into alignment with the professional nature of its European counterpart. In addition, Bache fostered the reform of public education in America.

On July 19, 1806 Alexander Dallas Bache was born into one of Philadelphia's elite families. The son of Richard Bache and Sophia Dallas, he was Benjamin Franklin's great-grandson, nephew to George Dallas (vice president under James K. Polk), and grandson to Alexander James Dallas (secretary of the treasury under James Madison). In 1821, Bache was admitted to the United States Military Academy at the age of 15, graduating first in his class four years later. He remained at the Academy for an additional two years to teach mathematics and natural history. While serving as a lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers, working on the construction of Fort Adams in Newport, R.I., he met Nancy Clarke Fowler whom he would later marry.

Bache left the Army in 1828 to begin an academic career, accepting an appointment as professor of natural philosophy and chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania. Although his scientific interests were broad, he had a particular interest in geophyscial research. While in Philadelphia, he constructed a magnetic observatory, and made extensive research into terrestrial magnetism, and during the 1830s he began to be recognized as a leading figure in the city's scientific community. Bache was an active member of the American Philosphical Society and the Franklin Institute, seeking to raise the professional standards of both institutions and urging them to place a stronger emphasis on original research. While at the Franklin Institute from 1830-1835, Bache led a Federally-funded investigation into steam-boiler explosions, the government's first use of technical experts to examine a matter involving public policy.

In 1836 Bache became interested in educational reform when he was asked to help organize the curriculum at Girard College, of which he later served as president. Bache spent two years in Europe visiting over 250 educational institutions. The result of his visit was a 600 page study, Report on Education in Europe, to the Trustees of the Girard College for Orphans published in 1839. Although Bache was unable to apply the report at Girard College because of its delayed opening, it proved useful in overhauling the curriculum of Philadelphia's Central High School, where he was superintendent from 1839-1842, and was widely influential among American educational reformers, helping to introduce the Prussian educational model to the United States.

After meeting many of the leading savants during a European tour, including Alexander von Humboldt, Francois Arago, and Karl Friedrich Gauss, Bache became convinced of the need to professionalize American science. His opportunity to make an impact came in 1843 with the death of Ferdinand Hassler, superindendent of the U.S. Coast Survey. In the years before the Civil War, the Coast Survey supported more scientists then any other institution in the country, and Bache and his colleagues saw the Survey as a means of gaining federal patronage for science. After a campaign by his friends and colleagues, Bache was named as Hassler's replacement. Over the next two decades Bache transformed the Coast Survey into one of the nation's leading scientific institutions, becoming an important patron of science himself in the process . Bache was not just an administrator, but remained personally involved in field work.

Bache also led the reform of American science through his leadership of an elite group known as the "Lazzaroni" or scientific beggars. The goal of the Lazzaroni was to ensure that the nation's leading scientists kept control of the nation's scientific institutions, and they were instrumental in reforming the American Association for the Advancement of Science (of which Bache was president of in 1850). In his remarkably busy schedule, Bache was a member of the Lighthouse Board (1844-1845), superintendent of the Office of Weights and Measures (1844), and a prominent regent for the Smithsonian Institution, where he convinced fellow Lazzaroni Joseph Henry to become its first secretary. Bache also played a leading role in the creation of the National Academy of Sciences, serving as its first president. When the Americn Civil War broke out, Bache focused the Coast Survey to support the war effort, was vice president of the Sanitary Commision, a consultant to the army and navy on battle plans, a superintended for Philadelphia's defence plans, and a member of the Permanent Commission of the navy in charge of evaluating new weapons. Bache died in Newport, R.I. on February 17, 1867.

From the guide to the A. D. Bache Collection, 1833-1873, (American Philosophical Society)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
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referencedIn Woolsey family papers, 1750-1969 (bulk 1811-1921) Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Lockman, DeWitt McClellan, 1870-1957,. [Map of the area later bounded by 40th and 47th Streets, 9th Avenue and the Hudson River, Manhattan, New York (N.Y.) ; Map of an unidentified area in Manhattan, New York (N.Y.)]. Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
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referencedIn Autograph File, D, 1586-1975. Houghton Library
creatorOf Ruggles, Samuel B. (Samuel Bulkley), 1800-1881. Letters, 1839-1857. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
referencedIn Seward, William Henry, 1801-1872. William Henry Seward correspondence, 1834-1866. Library of Congress
referencedIn Strong, George Templeton, 1820-1875. Diary : holograph, 1835-1875. New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Seward, Frederick William, 1830-1915. Letters, 1861, 1865. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
referencedIn Bingham, Hiram, 1789-1869. Hiram Bingham papers, 1821-1898 (inclusive), [microform]. Yale University Library
creatorOf Davis, Charles Augustus, 1795-1867. Letters of Charles Augustus Davis [manuscript] 1839-45. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Macready, William Charles, 1793-1873,. Autograph letters signed from William Charles Macready to various recipients [manuscript], 1817-1866. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Stuyvesant Institute. Records, 1834-1839. New-York Historical Society
referencedIn National Institute of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Proceedings of the first regular meeting of the National Institute of Letters, Arts, and Sciences [microform]: 1868 Jun. 12. United States Naval Academy, Nimitz Library
referencedIn James Francis Ruggles papers, 1848-1895 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Ruggles, Charles Herman, 1789-1865. Charles Herman Ruggles papers, 1821-1855. Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn Sage, Gardner A. [Map of the area later bounded by 25th and 29th Streets, 3rd and Park Avenues, Manhattan, New York (N.Y.)]. New-York Historical Society Library
creatorOf Ruggles, Samuel B. (Samuel Bulkley), 1800-1881. Letter, Nov. 28, 1862. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
referencedIn Silliman family papers, 1717-1977 (bulk 1717-1911) Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Sage, Gardner A. [Map of the area later bounded by 17th and 21st Streets, Park and 5th Avenues, Manhattan, New York (N.Y.)]. Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
referencedIn Autograph File, L, 1641-1976. Houghton Library
referencedIn Autograph File, P, 1554-2005. Houghton Library
referencedIn King, John A., 1788-1867. Letters, 1825-1883. New York State Library
creatorOf Samuel B. Ruggles papers, 1801-1881 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn National Institute of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Report, 1868 Jun. 12. New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Stuyvesant Institute. Records, 1834-1839. New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Tallmadge, Nathaniel Pitcher, 1795-1864. Papers, 1812-1860. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Autograph File, F, 1447-1994. Houghton Library
referencedIn [Map of the area later bounded by 5th and 28th Streets, the East River or Avenue A, and 6th Avenue, Manhattan, New York (N.Y.)] / drawn by J.A. Hille[??]. New-York Historical Society Library
referencedIn Bellows, Henry W. (Henry Whitney), 1814-1882. Henry W. Bellows letters, 1861-1863. Columbia University in the City of New York, Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library
referencedIn Bache, A. D. (Alexander Dallas), 1806-1867. Papers, 1835-1864. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Johnson, William Samuel, 1795-1883. William Samuel Johnson papers, 1834-1868. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Autograph File, F, 1447-1994. Houghton Library
creatorOf Willis, Nathaniel Parker, 1806-1867. Papers of Nathaniel Parker Willis, 1835-1866. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Lockman, DeWitt McClellan, 1870-1957,. [Map of the area later bounded by Washington Place, 6th Avenue, 4th Street and Sheridan Square, Manhattan, New York (N.Y.)]. New-York Historical Society
creatorOf Ritchie, Anna Cora Ogden Mowatt, 1819-1870. Papers of Anna Cora Ogden Mowatt Ritchie, 1842-1865. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Amy Lowell autograph collection, 1523-1930. Macaulay, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron, 1800-1859. Autograph manuscript letter (signed) to [Mary] Berry; Bourges, 1843 September 1. Houghton Library
referencedIn Bard, William. William Bard letters, 1830-1840. Cornell University Library
referencedIn Autograph File, O, 1706-1966. Houghton Library
creatorOf Hudson, David. Letter to Samuel B. Ruggles, 1840 [June 6] New York State Library
referencedIn Stevens, John Austin, 1795-1874. Papers, 1811-1885. Churchill County Museum
referencedIn Letters to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1761-1904 (inclusive), 1820-1888 (bulk) Houghton Library
creatorOf Bache, A. D. (Alexander Dallas), 1806-1867. A. D. Bache Collection, 1833-1873 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Samuel B. Ruggles abstract of title, circa 1674-1850 Center for Brooklyn History (2020-)
referencedIn Autograph File, B, ca.1500-1982 Houghton Library
referencedIn Curtis, Edward, 1801-1856. Edward Curtis correspondence, 1841-1853. Library of Congress
referencedIn Fish, Hamilton, 1808-1893. Letter, 1881 May 20. American Periodical Series I
referencedIn Silliman family. Silliman family papers, 1717-1977 (inclusive), 1717-1911 (bulk). Yale University Library
referencedIn Sage, Gardner A. [Map of the area later bounded by 21st and 25th Streets, Park and Fifth Avenues, Manhattan, New York (N.Y.)]. Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
referencedIn Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874. Correspondence, 1829-1874 Houghton Library
referencedIn Sage, Gardner A. [Map of the area later bounded by 21st and 25th Streets, 3rd and Park Avenues, Manhattan, New York (N.Y.)]. New-York Historical Society Library
referencedIn Verstille family. Verstille family papers, 1754-1858 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Frederick M. Dearborn collection of military and political Americana, Part I: The Revolution and the Administration, 1669-1958. Houghton Library
referencedIn Silliman family. Silliman family papers, 1717-1977 (inclusive), 1717-1911 (bulk). Yale University Library
referencedIn Rare Book & Manuscript Library General Manuscript Collection, 1789-2013 Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Lockman, DeWitt McClellan, 1870-1957,. [Map of the area later bounded by 20th and 32nd Streets, 3rd and Park Avenues, Manhattan, New York (N.Y.)]. New-York Historical Society Library
referencedIn Woolsey family papers, 1750-1969 (bulk 1811-1921) Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Charles Herman Ruggles papers, 1821-1855 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Ruggles, James Francis, 1834-1895. James Francis Ruggles papers, 1848-1895. Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn Autograph File, E, 1564-1961. Houghton Library
creatorOf Robertson, Wyndham, 1803-1888. Letter to Samuel Bulkeley Ruggles [manuscript] 1840 June 11. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Lockman, DeWitt McClellan, 1870-1957,. [Map of the area later bounded by 18th Street, 3rd Avenue, Bleecker Street and 5th Avenue, Manhattan, New York (N.Y.)]. New-York Historical Society Library
creatorOf Ruggles, Samuel B. (Samuel Bulkley), 1800-1881. Letter to David Ames Wells, 1877. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Italian Opera Association (New York, N.Y.), 1832-1839. Records, 1832-1860 (bulk 1832-1839). New-York Historical Society
creatorOf Ruggles, Samuel. Samuel and Nancy Ruggles papers, 1819-1820 (inclusive), [microform]. Yale University Library
referencedIn Smith, Edwin, surveyor. Map accompanying the opening of Lexington Avenue from 31st to 42nd Street / Edwin Smith, Gardner Sage. New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Watts family. Watts papers, 1689-1870 (bulk 1740-1840). Churchill County Museum
creatorOf Ruggles, Samuel B. (Samuel Bulkley), 1800-1881. Samuel B. Ruggles papers, 1801-1881. Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
creatorOf Ruggles, Samuel B. (Samuel Bulkley), 1800-1881. [Letter, 1857]. Boston Athenaeum
referencedIn Nathaniel Parker Willis Collection, 1835-1863 University of Virginia. Library. Special Collections Dept.
referencedIn Ritchie, Anna Cora Ogden Mowatt, 1819-1870,. Autograph letter signed from Anna Cora Ritchie, Astoria, to Mrs. Haxall [manuscript], 1859 October 3. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Woolsey family papers, 1750-1969 (bulk 1811-1921) Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Lieber, Francis, 1800-1872. Papers of Francis Lieber, 1830-1872. Library of Congress
referencedIn Doughty, Saml. S. (Samuel S.). [Map of the area later bounded by 22nd and 26th Streets, Park and 5th Avenues, Manhattan, New York (N.Y.)] / drawn by Saml. S. Doughty. Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
referencedIn Washington Hunt Letters, 1836-1862 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
referencedIn Arnold, Isaac Newton, 1815-1884. Letter : Washington, D.C., to Samuel B. Ruggles, [New York?], 1863 Apr. 6. Texas Christian University
referencedIn Lockman, DeWitt McClellan, 1870-1957,. [Map of the area later bounded by 24th and 28th Streets, Lexington and 6th Avenues, Manhattan, New York (N.Y.)]. New-York Historical Society Library
creatorOf Ruggles, Samuel B. (Samuel Bulkley), 1800-1881. Letter to [Thomas Durant]. Paris, France. 1867 Apr. 12. University of Iowa Libraries
creatorOf Curtis, Benjamin Robbins, 1809-1874. Legal opinions, ca. 1858-1868. Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
referencedIn Sage, Gardner A. [Map of the area later bounded by 13th and 17th Streets, 3rd Avenue and Broadway, Manhattan, New York (N.Y.)]. New-York Historical Society Library
referencedIn Lockman, DeWitt McClellan, 1870-1957,. [Map of the area later bounded by 40th and 47th Streets, 9th Avenue and the Hudson River, Manhattan, New York (N.Y.)]. Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
referencedIn Sage, Gardner A. [Map of the area later bounded by 24th and 28th Streets, Park and 5th Avenues, Manhattan, New York (N.Y.)]. Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Agassiz, Louis, 1807-1873 person
associatedWith Allison, William B. (William Boyd), 1829-1908. person
associatedWith Arnold, Isaac Newton, 1815-1884. person
associatedWith Babbage, Charles, 1791-1871 person
associatedWith Bache, A. D. (Alexander Dallas), 1806-1867. person
associatedWith Bache, Albert Dabadie, 1832-1895 person
associatedWith Bard, William. person
associatedWith Barnes, H. B. (Henry Broughton) person
associatedWith Bellows, Henry W. (Henry Whitney), 1814-1882. person
associatedWith Bingham, Hiram, 1789-1869. person
associatedWith Bond, W. C. (William Cranch), 1789-1859 person
associatedWith Brewster, David, Sir, 1781-1868 person
associatedWith Brewster, Sir David person
associatedWith Chambers, Robert, 1802-1871 person
associatedWith Cheney, T. Apoleon (Theseus Apoleon), 1830-1878 person
associatedWith Columbia University. Rare Book & Manuscript Library. corporateBody
associatedWith Combe, George, 1788-1858 person
associatedWith Cooper, Peter, 1791-1883 person
associatedWith Curtis, Benjamin Robbins, 1809-1874. person
associatedWith Curtis, Edward person
associatedWith Curtis, Edward. person
correspondedWith Curtis, Edward, 1801-1856. person
associatedWith Daly, Maria person
associatedWith Daly, Maria. person
associatedWith Davis, Charles Augustus, 1795-1867. person
associatedWith Dearborn, Frederick M. (Frederick Myers), b. 1876 person
associatedWith Dexter, S. Newton person
associatedWith Dexter, S. Newton. person
associatedWith Dickins, Asbury, 1780-1861 person
associatedWith Dix, John A. (John Adams), 1789-1868. person
associatedWith Doughty, Saml. S. (Samuel S.) person
associatedWith Durant, Thomas Clark, 1820-1885, person
associatedWith Ely, Alfred, 1815-1892. person
associatedWith Fessenden, W. P. (William Pitt), 1806-1869 person
associatedWith Fish, Hamilton, 1808-1893. person
associatedWith Furst, George A. person
associatedWith Hale, Charles person
associatedWith Hale, Charles, 1831-1882 person
associatedWith Hilgard, Julius Erasmus, 1825-1891 person
associatedWith Hudson, David. person
associatedWith Hunt, Washington, 1811-1867. person
associatedWith Huse, Caleb, 1831-1905. person
associatedWith Italian Opera Association (New York, N.Y.), 1832-1839. person
associatedWith Johnson, William Samuel, 1795-1883. person
associatedWith King, Horatio, 1811-1897 person
correspondedWith King, John A., 1788-1867. person
associatedWith Lee, Samuel Phillips, 1812-1897 person
correspondedWith Lieber, Francis, 1800-1872. person
associatedWith Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865. person
correspondedWith Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth, 1807-1882 person
correspondedWith Lowell, Amy, 1874-1925 person
correspondedWith Macready, William Charles, 1793-1873, person
associatedWith Mitchell, Maria, 1818-1889 person
associatedWith Morgan, Edwin D. (Edwin Denison), 1811-1883. person
associatedWith National Institute of Letters, Arts and Sciences. corporateBody
associatedWith National Institute of Letters, Arts and Sciences. corporateBody
associatedWith Paine, Robert Treat, 1803-1885 person
associatedWith Paine, R. T. person
associatedWith Potter, Alonzo, 1800-1865 person
associatedWith Quetelet, Adolphe, 1796-1874 person
associatedWith Redfield, W. C. (William C.), 1789-1857 person
associatedWith Ritchie, Anna Cora Ogden Mowatt, 1819-1870. person
associatedWith Robertson, Wyndham, 1803-1888. person
associatedWith Ruggles, Charles Herman, 1789-1865. person
associatedWith Ruggles, James Francis, 1834-1895. person
associatedWith Ruggles, Nancy Wells. person
associatedWith Sage, Gardner A. person
associatedWith Schofield, John McAllister, 1831-1906 person
associatedWith Schumacher, Heinrich Christian, 1780-1850 person
associatedWith Seward, Frederick William, 1830-1915. person
associatedWith Seward, William Henry, 1801-1872. person
associatedWith Silliman, Benjamin D. (Benjamin Douglas), 1805-1901. person
associatedWith Silliman family. family
associatedWith Silliman family. family
associatedWith Silliman family. family
associatedWith Smith, Edwin, surveyor. person
associatedWith Sparkes, Jared person
associatedWith Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866 person
associatedWith Spencer, Charles Achilles, 1813-1881 person
associatedWith Stevens, John Austin, 1795-1874. person
associatedWith Stevenson, Alan, 1807-1865 person
associatedWith Stevenson, David person
associatedWith Stevenson, David, 1815-1886 person
associatedWith Stevenson, Robert, 1772-1850 person
associatedWith Strong, George Templeton, 1820-1875. person
associatedWith Stuyvesant Institute. corporateBody
correspondedWith Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874 person
associatedWith Tallmadge, Nathaniel Pitcher, 1795-1864. person
associatedWith Tilghman, Tench, 1810-1874 person
associatedWith Toucey, Isaac, 1792-1869 person
associatedWith Upsher, Able Percey person
associatedWith Verplanck, Gulian C. (Gulian Crommelin), 1786-1870. person
associatedWith Verstille family. family
associatedWith Vroom, Peter Dumont, 1791-1873 person
associatedWith Watts family. family
associatedWith Wells, David Ames, 1828-1898, person
associatedWith Willis, Nathaniel Parker, 1806-1867. person
associatedWith Woolsey family. family
associatedWith Woolsey family. family
associatedWith Woolsey family. family
Place Name Admin Code Country
Erie Canal (N.Y.)
Croton Aqueduct (N.Y.)
New York (State)
New York (N.Y.)
New York (N.Y.)
Hawaii
Illinois and Michigan Canal (Ill.)
United States
New York (N.Y.)
Croton Aqueduct (N.Y.)
Erie Canal (N.Y.)
New York (State)
United States
New York (State)
Subject
Education
Antebellum Politics
Aqueducts
Aqueducts
Canals
Canals
Cooper Union
Decedents' estates
Early National Politics
Geological Survey of the State of New Jersey
Geology
Girard College
Land titles
Lighthouse
Missions
National Academy of Sciences
Natural history
Real property
Real property
Real property
Real property
Railroads
Railroads
Real estate development
Real estate development
Science and technology
Sewerage
Sewerage
Sidewalks
Sidewalks
United States Coast Survey
Occupation
Lawyers
Missionaries
Activity

Person

Birth 1800-04-11

Death 1881-08-28

Information

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