Lord Edward Russell

Admiral Lord Edward Russell (24 April 1805 – 21 May 1887) was a British naval officer and politician associated with the Whig party.

He was born on 24 April 1805 as the son of John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford, and Lady Georgina Gordon, his second wife. His family connections included his elder half-brother, John Russell, who later became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Russell entered the Royal Navy in 1819, attaining the rank of midshipman. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1826. In 1827, he participated in the Battle of Navarino, a significant naval engagement involving the allied forces of Britain, France, and Russia against the Ottoman Empire. The following year, in 1828, he was promoted to the rank of commander, and in 1833, he achieved the rank of captain.

In the political sphere, Lord Edward Russell was elected unopposed as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tavistock in the 1841 general election. He served in this capacity until 1847, choosing not to stand for re-election. Between 1846 and 1850, he served as Naval Aide-de-Camp to Queen Victoria.

His military career continued to advance, and he was invested as a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1855. The subsequent promotions included rear-admiral in 1856, vice-admiral in 1863, and full admiral in 1867.

Lord Edward Russell was married to Mary Ann Taylor on 8 February 1860. The marriage did not produce any children. Mary Ann Taylor passed away in 1874.

He died on 21 May 1887 at the age of 82 and was interred in Brompton Cemetery, London.