Tobias Rustat

Tobias Rustat (1606?-1694) was a servant to Charles II and benefactor of the University of Cambridge. He is best remembered for creating the first fund for the purchase of books at the Cambridge University Library.

Life

After an apprenticeship to a barber-surgeon in London, Rustat entered the service of William Feilding, 1st Earl of Denbigh, before becoming servant to George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham. An ardent Royalist, Rustat joined Buckingham in an uprising in Kent, where he saved the Duke's life. He was also present following the Battle of Worcester and aided Prince Charles's escape. In 1648 he escaped to the continent with Buckingham. [cite book|title=Dictionary of National Biography|author=Smith, George|date=1885] During this time Rustat acted as a courier between England and the exiled king's court.

In 1650 Rustat was made Yeoman of the Robes to Charles II, remaining in the position until the king's death in 1685.

Rustat is buried in the chapel of Jesus College, Cambridge.

Benefaction

In his later life Rustat became an important benefactor to a number of colleges of the University of Cambridge, in particular to Jesus College where his father had been a student.cite book|title=Cambridge: A Cultural and Literary History|author=Garrett, Martin|date=2004|isbn=1902669797] In 1666 he created the first fund for the purchase of books at the Cambridge University Library with a donation of £1000. The books purchased from the fund were stamped with Rustat's crest. [cite web|url=http://www.joh.cam.ac.uk/library/special_collections/early_books/pix/provenance/rustat/rustat.htm| title=Binding stamp of Tobias Rustat|publisher=St John's College, Cambridge]

Rustat also created a scholarship at Jesus College for the sons of deceased Anglican clergyman. Samuel Taylor Coleridge later attended Jesus as a Rustat Scholar.

He was awarded a Master of Arts degree "per literos regios" in 1674.

His portrait was painted by Peter Lely, and Jesus College commemorated him in the naming of Rustat Road in Cambridge. [cite book|title=Cambridge Street Names|author=Gray, Ronald|publisher=Cambridge University Press|date=2000|isbn=0-521-78956-7|page=46]

References