He was born in Verdal Municipality, and was the brother of Karl Ditlev and Oluf Rygh.

[1] On 13 July 1889, when the first cabinet Stang assumed office, Rygh was appointed Minister of Finance and Customs.

[4] Rygh reportedly turned down a request to return as a government minister when the second cabinet Stang was formed in 1893.

[1] Together with Hans Hagerup Krag he worked to establish an outdoors area around Holmenkollen, Voksenkollen and Frognerseteren accessible to the city populace.

Rygh was also proclaimed a Commander, First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav in 1891.