Russell Lord John

Russell, LORD JOHN, afterwards EARL RUSSELL (1792-1878), statesman, was the youngest son of the Duke of Bedford, and was born in London. In 1813 he entered Parliament as MP. for Tavistock, afterwards becoming member for Huntingdon. He was an ardent Liberal, and for many years pressed forward various schemes of reform, which were invariably rejected. He published, in 1819, a Life of Lord William Russell, and during the rest of his life continued his contributions to literature. He first obtained office in 1830 as Paymaster of the Forces. The Reform Bill of 1832 was largely the result of his persistent advocacy, and he was at that time asked to form a ministry, but failed. In 1835 he became MP. for Stroud, and in 1841 was elected to represent the City of London. He was appointed Home Secretary soon after his election for Stroud, and between 1839 and 1841 was Secretary for War. He aided in the repeal of the Corn Laws, and in 1846 attained the office of Prime Minister, which he held till 1852. In 1861 he was raised to the peerage, and in 1865, after the death of Palmerston, he was again Premier, but only for a year. He was a consistent Liberal, but not a strong Minister. As an author he is chiefiy known by his Memoirs of Thomas Moore and his Life and Times of E.J. Fox.