PARES | Spanish Archives

Identification

Type:

Person

Preferred form:

Rújula Vaca, Juan de (1899-1978)Other forms

Fechas de existencia:

1899-06-24 - 1978-07-29

History:

Archivist, librarian, artillery officer, and heraldic chronicler. IX Marquis of Ciadoncha.

He was the son of the herald Don José de Rújula y Escobal and his second wife, Doña Andrea Vaca y Javier. He completed his studies at the Instituto Cardenal Cisneros in Madrid, obtaining his Bachelor's degree in June 1914. He graduated in Law and in Philosophy and Letters.

He married Doña Concepción de Alguer y Micó in 1927.

He joined the Specialist Corps of Archivists and Librarians on February 20, 1935. He was an honorary heraldic chronicler from June 30, 1919, and was promoted to a full member on April 23, 1930 (following the death of his grandfather Félix de Rújula y Martín-Crespo). He ceased to be a member of the Heraldic Chroniclers' Corps when it was disbanded on June 16, 1931.

During the Spanish Civil War, the genealogical archive was confiscated, and he was forced to do cataloging work at the National Library, alongside his older brother. After the restoration of the heraldic chroniclers in 1951, he continued his work as a freelance professional, serving private clients, until a few years before his death.

He was honored during his lifetime with the Encomienda of the Order of Isabel the Catholic, the insignia of Artillery Officer, and membership in various Royal Academies and historical and heraldic societies.

His only son, Álvaro de Rújula, distinguished in the field of science, abandoned the family dedication to Heraldry after two hundred years.

On June 10, 1961, following the death of his brother José de Rújula y Ochotorena, he was appointed Dean of the Heraldic Chroniclers. His archive holds the most important collection of Coat of Arms Certifications. This well-documented file consists of 40,000 cards, leading to another 40,000 Coat of Arms Certifications, spanning from the 16th century.

He passed away in 1978.

Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939

Date of the event: 1936 - 1939