Friedrich Ruthardt was a German oboist and composer. He was born in Stuttgart as the son of an oboist in the chapel of the king of Württemberg. He became cantor of the main church of this city. He played in the Stuttgart court orchestra, and composed chorales as well as pieces for the oboe and the zither. Fétis claimed that Ruthardt was one of the most skillful players of the latter instrument in Germany. One of the best-known 19th-century oboe concertos, by Bernhard Molique, was likely written for Ruthardt, and first performed at Stuttgart in 1829.