Ruttenstock, Jacob, Dr

Ruttenstock, Jacob, Dr., provost and Lateran abbot at Klosterneuburg, in Austria, was born at Vienna, Feb. 10, 1776, and entered the Augustinian convent at Klosterneuburg, Oct. 6, 1795, completing his theological studies partly in the convent and partly at the University of Vienna. He took vows March 30, 1800, and on Sept. 8 of the same year was consecrated to the priesthood. He devoted himself specially to the cure of souls, but steadily employed his leisure hours in the prosecution of theological studies. He was accordingly appointed professor of Church history and canon law in the institute for theological tutors connected with his convent, and in December, 1809, he was made a temporary supply of the chair of Church history at Vienna. In 1811 he became pastor of Klosterneuburg and director of its principal school, but was almost immediately transferred to the high school at Vienna, where he became ordinary professor of Church history in 1813, and continued during nineteen years to approve himself as a patient inquirer, a thorough scholar, and a capable instructor. The text book entitled Institutiones Historioe Ecclesiasticoe N.T. (Vienna, 1832- 34), in three volumes, and extending to the year 1517, is the only monument of this period of his life that is preserved. He was chosen provost of Klosterneuburg, June 8, 1830, and in that capacity rendered valuable services in completing the convent and adorning the cathedral, etc. In 1832 the emperor Francis I appointed Ruttenstock a councillor of state, director of gymnasial studies in the hereditary states of Austria, etc. In 1842 he received the cross of the Order of Knights of Leopold. He died June 29, 1844, in the convent of Klosterneuburg. It remains to be added that several of Ruttenstock's sermons were published, and that he ranked, wherever known, as an eminent pulpit orator. See Wetzer u. Welte, Kirchen-Lex. s.v.