Rugg, Harold Goddard, 1883-1957

Dates

• Existence: 1883 - 1957

Biography

Harold Goddard Rugg was born on January 21, 1883, in Hartland, Vermont. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1906, and was hired as the library secretary. In 1912, he became the executive assistant to the librarian, and in 1919, was promoted to assistant librarian. In 1920, he began teaching in the art department on the history of books and printing. He rose from lecturer to assistant professor and full professor by 1947. In 1940, he received an honorary M.A. degree from Dartmouth College. Rugg retired in 1953. Throughout his adult life Harold Rugg was a librarian, historian, naturalist, gardener, world traveler, and avid collector of rare and fine books and autographs. His collection of printed historical material on Vermont, which he donated to the Vermont Historical Society, numbered in the thousands and was considered among the best in the world. His collection of Robert Frost material which included many early letters from the poet, first editions, and signed copies forms the backbone of the Frost collection at Dartmouth College. Rugg died in 1957, at the age of 74 in Hanover, New Hampshire.