Thomas Coke Ruckle, Sr.

Description

Oil on canvas self-portrait painting of "Thomas Coke Ruckle, Sr. (1776-1853) by Thomas Coke Ruckle, Sr. Born in Embery, Ireland, Ruckle emigrated to Maryland in 1798. That same year, he married Mary Chambers Coke (1780-1858) and they eventually had two children. Ruckle was employed as a sign and house painter. During the War of 1812, he enlisted as a corporal in Captain George H. Steuart's "Washington Blues," 5th Maryland Regiment. He fought at North Point and participated in the preparations for the defense of the city. After the war, Ruckle painted "The Defense of Baltimore Assembling the Troops" and "Battle of North Point near Baltimore." Both are in the collection of the Maryland Center for History and Culture. He is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland.