RUHNKEN, DAviD, b. Jan. 2, 1723, at Stolpe, in Pomerania; received his academical education first at the Konigsberg gymnasium, where he distinguished himself not only in classical learning, but even in music and drawing, and afterward at Wittenberg uni versity, *here he spent two years in the assiduous study of ancient literature, history, and jurisprudence. 11c graduated 1713; after which he went to Leyden, where for six years he prosecuted his classical studies under the guidance of Hemsterhuis, and bestowed particular attention on the Greek writers, nearly all of whom lie read. He devised a new edition of Plato, collected the scholia of that author, and published an excellent edition of Yiinenws Lexicon Yocum Ratonicarunt (Leyd. 1754; re-edited in a much improved form, 1789). He went in 1755 to Paris, where, for a whole year, be examined the MSS. of the royal library and of the library of St. Germain, then got him appointed as lector (reader) in the university of Leyden, in which capacity he was the assistant and colleague of his great master. In Oct., 1757, he introduced his series of lectures by a discourse, De Grcecia Arttum ct Doctrenarum Inrentrice (Leyd. 1757). For four years he discharged the duties of his office with a skill and success that raised hint in public esteem, as one of the most learned men in Holland. In 1761 lie succeeded Oudendorp in the chair of eloquence and history. In '1767 he lost his friend and master Hemsterhuis; and in his capacity as rector of the university, delivered a splendid tribute to the deceased in his Elogium Hemsterkusii (Leyd. 1768). In
1774 lie succeeded Gronovius as librarian to the university, which he enriched with a multitude of valuable books and MSS. He died May 14, 1798, and iu gratitude to his memory, the city of Leyden purchased his great library, and gave his widow an annuity of 500 florins.
Rulinken will long be remembered as one of the best scholars and critics of the 18th century. His fine taste and sagacity, aided by an astonishing memory and vast learning enabled him to illustrate the authors of antiquity with wonderful success. He was also a brilliant prelcctor, for which he was no doubt indebted to the extreme lucidity and grace of his Latin style A list of his works would occupy much space. In addition to those already noted, we may mention his edition of vol. ii. of Alberti's Hesychins; his edition of Rutilius Lupus; of Velleitrs Paterenins; of Muretus, etc. He contributed to the editions of the classics by other scholars, such as Ernesti and Schweighiluser, and thereby accumulated a vast amount of valuable material in the shape of correspondence and miscellanea. his life has been written by his famous pupil Wyttenbach (Leyd. 1799; new and improved edition, Leips. 1822, and Freiberg, 1846).