Russell

Russell, prominent family in British politics. The first member to gain national fame was John Russell (c. 1486–1555), created first earl of Bedford for helping Edward VI to quell a 1549 rebellion. The family fortune, including Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire, was acquired during this period. Francis Russell (1593–1641), fourth earl, built the square of Covent Garden (c.1631) and was active in Parliament's effort to contain the power held by Charles I. William Russell (1613–1700), fifth earl, was a parliamentary general in the Civil War. He was created first duke of Bedford in 1694, partly because of the fame, as a patriotic martyr, of his son Lord William Russell (1639–83), first notable Whig in the family. The title of Lord John Russell, first earl Russell, was inherited by his grandson Bertrand Russell. Hastings William Sackville Russell (1883–1953), a pacifist, defended some of Adolf Hitler's policies in World War II. John Robert Russell (1917– ) is journalist and farmer in South Africa. In 1955 he turned his land at Woburn into a public park.