Russell Manners

Russell Manners (1736 – 11 September 1800) was a British Army officer. He was the fourth illegitimate son of Lord William Manners.

Manners began his military career in May 1755 when he joined the Army as a cornet in the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards. In February 1758, he was promoted to the rank of captain in the 7th Dragoons. In April 1760, he was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the 21st Dragoons (Royal Foresters) and served in Germany under Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick. Following the disbandment of his regiment on the Peace of Paris in 1763, Manners was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the 2nd Dragoon Guards.

During the American Revolutionary War, which commenced in 1775, Manners was appointed colonel of the newly raised 19th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons. He received promotions to major-general in 1777 and to lieutenant-general in 1782. His regiment was disbanded in 1783.

In 1794, Manners was appointed colonel of the 86th Regiment of Foot on 20 June, and in 1795, he transferred to the 26th Light Dragoons. He achieved the rank of general in 1799.

There is an account associating a General Manners with shooting a highwayman during an attempted robbery on 23 May 1800; however, this individual is identified as Major-General Robert Manners, not Russell Manners.

Russell Manners died on 11 September 1800 at Billericay in Essex. At the time, he was staying at Southend for health reasons. According to reports, he was feeling unwell during his morning ride and set out alone for London seeking medical advice. He stopped at an inn, where he expressed doubt he would reach London alive, and he subsequently died there. His family had been summoned from London to be present at his deathbed.

His son, also named Russell Manners, succeeded him and died in 1840.