Jan Ruckers, Hans Ruckers

Place: Antwerp

Born: 1578

Death: 1642

Biography:

Joannes Ruckers (variants: Ioannes, Hans, Jan) was the first son of Hans Ruckers and became a harpsichord and organ maker. He lived his life in Antwerp. He and brother Andreas became partners in their father's business upon his death, Joannes becoming a master and joined the Guild of St. Luke's in 1611. Ruckers contributed immeasurably to the harpsichord's technical development, pioneering the addition of a second manual; the quality of his instruments is such that the name of Ruckers is as important to early keyboard instruments as that of Stradivarius is to the violin family.