Arthur Russell, 2nd Baron Ampthill
Encyclopedia
Oliver Villiers Russell, 2nd Baron Ampthill, GCSI
, GCIE
, DL
, JP
(19 February 1869 – 7 July 1935) was a British peer, rower
and administrator who served as the Governor of Madras from October 1900 to February 1906 and acted as the Viceroy of India from April to December 1904.
Oliver Russell was born on February 19, 1869 to Odo Russell, 1st Baron Ampthill
and Lady Emily Russell in Rome
and was educated at Eton
and Oxford
. Oliver Russell succeeded to the barony of Ampthill at the age of 15 on the death of his father.
Russell served as the Assistant Private Secretary to Joseph Chamberlain in 1895 to 1897 and then Private Secretary from 1897 to 1900, when he was appointed Governor of Madras. At the age of 31, Russell became the youngest-ever to be appointed Governor of Madras and served from 1900 to 1906. Russell also served as the Viceroy of India from April to December 1904, when Lord Curzon
was re-elected for a second term.
, the eldest son of the 1st Baron Ampthill
and Lady Emily Theresa (née Villiers) - Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria and daughter of the 4th Earl of Clarendon
.
Russell was educated at Chignell's and Eton
and graduated from New College, Oxford
in 1898 with a third-class honours' in modern history. His entry in Vanity Fair magazine noted of him
and elevated to Private Secretary in 1897.
That last position never became permanent, as he found himself increasingly allied with Indian nationals both in South and East Africa as well as their native country, and at odds with the British Government. During the 1914-18 war, Lord Ampthill commanded a battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment and two of the Bedfordshire Regiment in France.
as Viceroy of India. As governor, he inaugurated the King Institute in Madras. Russell also inaugurated the Cochin State Forest Tramway on October 3, 1905. On December 4, 1903, he inaugurated the Rangaraya Medical College
in Cocanada.
During Russell's tenure, the Oriya Movement for the creation of a separate province of Orissa gathered stream. However, Russell, as governor of Madras, was strongly opposed to the demands for separation of the Oriya-speaking tracts of Vizagapatam and Ganjam districts from Madras.
As Viceroy, Russell was loyal to Curzon and successfully countered the efforts of St John Brodrick, 1st Earl of Midleton
, the Secretary of State for India
who wanted to introduce anti-Curzon policies. However, he was unsuccessful against Lord Kitchener
who tightened his stranglehold over the military department.
John Morley on the issue of constitutional reforms. In 1909, Russell wrote an introduction to Joseph Doke's book M. K. Gandhi: an Indian Patriot in South Africa.
On 13 July 1909, Lord Ampthill was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant
of Bedfordshire
. He then went on to fight in the First World War, during which he was twice mentioned in despatches, and was one of the founders of the National Party
in 1917. He retired from the service in 1926 with the rank of colonel
. Lord Ampthill was President of the Magic Circle
. Russell co-founded the National Party in 1917.
Lord Ampthill died of pneumonia July 7, 1935, a day before Nickalls
, prompting the following anonymous epigram among the various tributes in the Times:
, the daughter of the 6th Earl Beauchamp
in Madresfield
, Worcestershire
and they had five children:
He was succeeded in the barony by his eldest son John Russell
.
Whilst at New College, Oxford Ampthill rowed for Oxford
three times against Cambridge
in the Boat Race
(1889 to 1891), winning twice. He was president of both OUBC
and the Oxford Union
in 1891.
After Oxford, he rowed for Leander Club
for a short while then moved to London Rowing Club
, becoming club president in 1893, a position he remained in for almost 40 years until his death in 1935.
Ampthill raced in the Ladies' Challenge Plate
at Henley Royal Regatta
for Eton in 1886, 1887 and 1888. In 1889 he raced both the Grand Challenge Cup
and the Silver Goblets
, losing in the final of the latter by 2 foot to CUBC
in a race which the Henley records for the year describe as "One of the best and closest races ever seen" . In 1890 he again competed in both events, this time racing under New College colours, and collected his first Henley medal, rowing with Guy Nickalls
in the Goblets.
In 1891, racing this time as Leander, Lord Ampthill was in the crew which won the Grand Challenge Cup
, setting a new course record. He also repeated his Goblets win, again with Guy Nickalls.
Lord Ampthill was elected a Steward of Henley Royal Regatta in 1896, a role he performed until 1900 then again from 1910 until 1927.
.
. He was made Provincial Grand Master of Bedfordshire in 1900; was District Grand Master of Madras from 1901 to 1906 and was made Pro Grand Master of England in 1908.
on 28 December 1900, shortly before his departure for India and a GCSI
on 2 September 1904.
Order of the Star of India
The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes:# Knight Grand Commander # Knight Commander # Companion...
, GCIE
Order of the Indian Empire
The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1878. The Order includes members of three classes:#Knight Grand Commander #Knight Commander #Companion...
, DL
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
, JP
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
(19 February 1869 – 7 July 1935) was a British peer, rower
Rowing (sport)
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
and administrator who served as the Governor of Madras from October 1900 to February 1906 and acted as the Viceroy of India from April to December 1904.
Oliver Russell was born on February 19, 1869 to Odo Russell, 1st Baron Ampthill
Odo Russell, 1st Baron Ampthill
Odo William Leopold Russell, 1st Baron Ampthill GCB GCMG PC , known as Lord Odo Russell between 1872 and 1881, was a British diplomat and ambassador and the first British ambassador to the German Empire. He was born in Florence in 1829 into the Russell family, one of England's leading Whig/liberal...
and Lady Emily Russell in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
and was educated at Eton
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
and Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
. Oliver Russell succeeded to the barony of Ampthill at the age of 15 on the death of his father.
Russell served as the Assistant Private Secretary to Joseph Chamberlain in 1895 to 1897 and then Private Secretary from 1897 to 1900, when he was appointed Governor of Madras. At the age of 31, Russell became the youngest-ever to be appointed Governor of Madras and served from 1900 to 1906. Russell also served as the Viceroy of India from April to December 1904, when Lord Curzon
George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston
George Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston, KG, GCSI, GCIE, PC , known as The Lord Curzon of Kedleston between 1898 and 1911 and as The Earl Curzon of Kedleston between 1911 and 1921, was a British Conservative statesman who was Viceroy of India and Foreign Secretary...
was re-elected for a second term.
Early life
Oliver Russell, was born February 19 1869 in RomeRome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, the eldest son of the 1st Baron Ampthill
Odo Russell, 1st Baron Ampthill
Odo William Leopold Russell, 1st Baron Ampthill GCB GCMG PC , known as Lord Odo Russell between 1872 and 1881, was a British diplomat and ambassador and the first British ambassador to the German Empire. He was born in Florence in 1829 into the Russell family, one of England's leading Whig/liberal...
and Lady Emily Theresa (née Villiers) - Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria and daughter of the 4th Earl of Clarendon
Earl of Clarendon
Earl of Clarendon is a title that has been created twice in British history, in 1661 and 1776. The title was created for the first time in the Peerage of England in 1661 for the statesman Edward Hyde, 1st Baron Hyde...
.
Russell was educated at Chignell's and Eton
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
and graduated from New College, Oxford
New College, Oxford
New College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.- Overview :The College's official name, College of St Mary, is the same as that of the older Oriel College; hence, it has been referred to as the "New College of St Mary", and is now almost always...
in 1898 with a third-class honours' in modern history. His entry in Vanity Fair magazine noted of him
Politics
In 1895, Russell was appointed Assistant Secretary to Colonial Secretary Joseph ChamberlainJoseph Chamberlain
Joseph Chamberlain was an influential British politician and statesman. Unlike most major politicians of the time, he was a self-made businessman and had not attended Oxford or Cambridge University....
and elevated to Private Secretary in 1897.
That last position never became permanent, as he found himself increasingly allied with Indian nationals both in South and East Africa as well as their native country, and at odds with the British Government. During the 1914-18 war, Lord Ampthill commanded a battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment and two of the Bedfordshire Regiment in France.
Governor of Madras
Russell was appointed Governor of Madras on September 5, 1900. At the age of 31, Russell was the youngest-ever to become Governor of Madras. Russell served from 1900 to 1906, his tenure almost contemporaneous with that of George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of KedlestonGeorge Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston
George Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston, KG, GCSI, GCIE, PC , known as The Lord Curzon of Kedleston between 1898 and 1911 and as The Earl Curzon of Kedleston between 1911 and 1921, was a British Conservative statesman who was Viceroy of India and Foreign Secretary...
as Viceroy of India. As governor, he inaugurated the King Institute in Madras. Russell also inaugurated the Cochin State Forest Tramway on October 3, 1905. On December 4, 1903, he inaugurated the Rangaraya Medical College
Rangaraya Medical College
Rangaraya Medical College is one of the old and premier Government Medical colleges in Andhra pradesh, established in 1958 and is located in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is affiliated to Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences.-History:...
in Cocanada.
During Russell's tenure, the Oriya Movement for the creation of a separate province of Orissa gathered stream. However, Russell, as governor of Madras, was strongly opposed to the demands for separation of the Oriya-speaking tracts of Vizagapatam and Ganjam districts from Madras.
Viceroy of India
When Lord Curzon's tenure came to an end in 1904, Russell was chosen to act as the Viceroy of India until the appointment of a new Viceroy. Russell served from April to December 1904 as Viceroy of India. During his tenure, the proponments of a separate province of Orissa submitted a petition to this effect to Russell. However, Russell rejected all demands to create a separate province of Orissa and include areas from Madras Presidency in it.As Viceroy, Russell was loyal to Curzon and successfully countered the efforts of St John Brodrick, 1st Earl of Midleton
St John Brodrick, 1st Earl of Midleton
William St John Fremantle Brodrick, 1st Earl of Midleton, KP, PC , known as St John Brodrick until 1907 and as The Viscount Midleton between 1907 and 1920, was a British Conservative Party politician....
, the Secretary of State for India
Secretary of State for India
The Secretary of State for India, or India Secretary, was the British Cabinet minister responsible for the government of India and the political head of the India Office...
who wanted to introduce anti-Curzon policies. However, he was unsuccessful against Lord Kitchener
Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener
Field Marshal Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener KG, KP, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCMG, GCIE, ADC, PC , was an Irish-born British Field Marshal and proconsul who won fame for his imperial campaigns and later played a central role in the early part of the First World War, although he died halfway...
who tightened his stranglehold over the military department.
Later life
On returning to England in 1906, Russell took up the cause of Indians in South Africa. He chaired an advisory committee on Indian students in the United Kingdom but disagreed with the Secretary of State for IndiaSecretary of State for India
The Secretary of State for India, or India Secretary, was the British Cabinet minister responsible for the government of India and the political head of the India Office...
John Morley on the issue of constitutional reforms. In 1909, Russell wrote an introduction to Joseph Doke's book M. K. Gandhi: an Indian Patriot in South Africa.
On 13 July 1909, Lord Ampthill was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
of Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is a ceremonial county of historic origin in England that forms part of the East of England region.It borders Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Northamptonshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the west and Hertfordshire to the south-east....
. He then went on to fight in the First World War, during which he was twice mentioned in despatches, and was one of the founders of the National Party
National Party (UK, 1917)
The National Party was a short-lived British political party created in August 1917 as a right-wing split from the Conservative Party.-Formation:...
in 1917. He retired from the service in 1926 with the rank of colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
. Lord Ampthill was President of the Magic Circle
Magic circle
A magic circle is circle or sphere of space marked out by practitioners of many branches of ritual magic, which they generally believe will contain energy and form a sacred space, or will provide them a form of magical protection, or both. It may be marked physically, drawn in salt or chalk, for...
. Russell co-founded the National Party in 1917.
Lord Ampthill died of pneumonia July 7, 1935, a day before Nickalls
Guy Nickalls
Guy Nickalls was a British rower who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics as a member of the British eight that won gold, won 22 events at Henley Royal Regatta and won the Wingfield Sculls three times....
, prompting the following anonymous epigram among the various tributes in the Times:
Oarsmen they lived, and silver goblets mark
The well-timed prowess of their trusty blades:
In death their rhythm kept, they now embark
To row their long last course among the Shades
Personal life
On October 6, 1894, Ampthill married Lady Margaret LygonMargaret Russell, Baroness Ampthill
Margaret Russell, Baroness Ampthill, GCVO, CI, GBE was the daughter of the 6th Earl Beauchamp.Born as Margaret Lygon, she married the 2nd Baron Ampthill, in Madresfield, Worcestershire on 6 October 1894 .She was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Mary, and in 1918 was made a Dame Grand Cross of the...
, the daughter of the 6th Earl Beauchamp
Frederick Lygon, 6th Earl Beauchamp
Frederick Lygon, 6th Earl Beauchamp PC , styled The Honourable Frederick Lygon between 1853 and 1866, was a British Conservative politician.-Background and education:...
in Madresfield
Madresfield
Madresfield is a village and civil parish in the administrative district of Malvern Hills in the county of Worcestershire, England. It is located about two miles east of Malvern town centre at the foot of the Malvern Hills and is less than two miles from the River Severn...
, Worcestershire
Worcestershire
Worcestershire is a non-metropolitan county, established in antiquity, located in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes it is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three counties that comprise the "Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire" NUTS 2 region...
and they had five children:
- John Russell, 3rd Baron AmpthillJohn Russell, 3rd Baron AmpthillCaptain John Hugo Russell, 3rd Baron Ampthill CBE was a British peer who served in the Royal Navy in both the First and Second World Wars.He was the son of Oliver Russell, 2nd Baron Ampthill...
(1896–1973) - Adm Hon. Sir Guy Russell (1898–1977)
- Hon. Phyllis Margaret Russell, OBE (3 June 1900 – c. 24 May 1998)
- Wg Cdr Hon. Edward Wriothesley Curzon Russell, OBE (2 June 1901 – 1982).
married Baroness Barbara Korff and had issue - Brig Hon. Leopold Oliver Russell, CBE, TD (26 January 1907 – 1988)
He was succeeded in the barony by his eldest son John Russell
John Russell, 3rd Baron Ampthill
Captain John Hugo Russell, 3rd Baron Ampthill CBE was a British peer who served in the Royal Navy in both the First and Second World Wars.He was the son of Oliver Russell, 2nd Baron Ampthill...
.
Rowing
Lord Ampthill started rowing at Eton. His record of rowing was one of the longest of his time at Eton and he first had an oar in the Dreadnought on March 1, 1885, going on to be Captain of the Boats in 1887 and 1888.Whilst at New College, Oxford Ampthill rowed for Oxford
Oxford University Boat Club
The Oxford University Boat Club is the rowing club of the University of Oxford, England, located on the River Thames at Oxford. The club was founded in the early 19th century....
three times against Cambridge
Cambridge University Boat Club
The Cambridge University Boat Club is the rowing club of the University of Cambridge, England, located on the River Cam at Cambridge, although training primarily takes place on the River Great Ouse at Ely. The club was founded in 1828...
in the Boat Race
The Boat Race
The event generally known as "The Boat Race" is a rowing race in England between the Oxford University Boat Club and the Cambridge University Boat Club, rowed between competing eights each spring on the River Thames in London. It takes place generally on the last Saturday of March or the first...
(1889 to 1891), winning twice. He was president of both OUBC
Oxford University Boat Club
The Oxford University Boat Club is the rowing club of the University of Oxford, England, located on the River Thames at Oxford. The club was founded in the early 19th century....
and the Oxford Union
Oxford Union
The Oxford Union Society, commonly referred to simply as the Oxford Union, is a debating society in the city of Oxford, Britain, whose membership is drawn primarily but not exclusively from the University of Oxford...
in 1891.
After Oxford, he rowed for Leander Club
Leander Club
Leander Club, founded in 1818, is one of the oldest rowing clubs in the world. It is based in Remenham in the English county of Berkshire, adjoining Henley-on-Thames...
for a short while then moved to London Rowing Club
London Rowing Club
London Rowing Club is one of the oldest rowing clubs on the River Thames in London, United Kingdom.It is regarded as one of the most exclusive and successful rowing clubs in Britain. and its Patron is HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh....
, becoming club president in 1893, a position he remained in for almost 40 years until his death in 1935.
Ampthill raced in the Ladies' Challenge Plate
Ladies' Challenge Plate
The Ladies' Challenge Plate is one of the events at Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. Crews of men's eight-oared boats below the standard of the Grand Challenge Cup can enter, although international standard heavyweight crews are not permitted to row in the...
at Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held every year on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. The Royal Regatta is sometimes referred to as Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage...
for Eton in 1886, 1887 and 1888. In 1889 he raced both the Grand Challenge Cup
Grand Challenge Cup
The Grand Challenge Cup is a rowing competition for men's eights. It is the oldest and most prestigious event at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from all eligible rowing clubs...
and the Silver Goblets
Silver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge Cup
The Silver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge Cup is a rowing event for men's coxless pairs at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from all eligible rowing clubs. Two clubs may combine to make an entry.-History:The Silver Goblets...
, losing in the final of the latter by 2 foot to CUBC
Cambridge University Boat Club
The Cambridge University Boat Club is the rowing club of the University of Cambridge, England, located on the River Cam at Cambridge, although training primarily takes place on the River Great Ouse at Ely. The club was founded in 1828...
in a race which the Henley records for the year describe as "One of the best and closest races ever seen" . In 1890 he again competed in both events, this time racing under New College colours, and collected his first Henley medal, rowing with Guy Nickalls
Guy Nickalls
Guy Nickalls was a British rower who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics as a member of the British eight that won gold, won 22 events at Henley Royal Regatta and won the Wingfield Sculls three times....
in the Goblets.
In 1891, racing this time as Leander, Lord Ampthill was in the crew which won the Grand Challenge Cup
Grand Challenge Cup
The Grand Challenge Cup is a rowing competition for men's eights. It is the oldest and most prestigious event at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from all eligible rowing clubs...
, setting a new course record. He also repeated his Goblets win, again with Guy Nickalls.
Lord Ampthill was elected a Steward of Henley Royal Regatta in 1896, a role he performed until 1900 then again from 1910 until 1927.
Henley wins
- 1890 - Silver GobletsSilver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge CupThe Silver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge Cup is a rowing event for men's coxless pairs at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from all eligible rowing clubs. Two clubs may combine to make an entry.-History:The Silver Goblets...
(rowing as New College Oxford, with Guy Nickalls) - 1891 - Grand Challenge CupGrand Challenge CupThe Grand Challenge Cup is a rowing competition for men's eights. It is the oldest and most prestigious event at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from all eligible rowing clubs...
(rowing as Leander Club) - 1891 - Silver GobletsSilver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge CupThe Silver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge Cup is a rowing event for men's coxless pairs at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from all eligible rowing clubs. Two clubs may combine to make an entry.-History:The Silver Goblets...
(rowing as Leander Club, with Guy Nickalls)
International Olympic Committee
Between 1894 and 1898, Lord Ampthill was a member of the original International Olympic CommitteeInternational Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
.
Masonic Connections
Ampthill was initiated into the Apollo University Lodge, No. 357, Oxford in 1890. He went on to fill the chief office in several lodges, including the Bard of Avon Lodge, No. 778, Hampton Court; The Royal Alpha Lodge, No. 16, London; and the Grand Master's Lodge, No. 1Premier Grand Lodge of England
The Premier Grand Lodge of England was founded on 24 June 1717 as the Grand Lodge of London and Westminster and it existed until 1813 when it united with the Ancient Grand Lodge of England to create the United Grand Lodge of England. It was the first Masonic Grand Lodge to be created...
. He was made Provincial Grand Master of Bedfordshire in 1900; was District Grand Master of Madras from 1901 to 1906 and was made Pro Grand Master of England in 1908.
Honours
Russell was made a GCIEOrder of the Indian Empire
The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1878. The Order includes members of three classes:#Knight Grand Commander #Knight Commander #Companion...
on 28 December 1900, shortly before his departure for India and a GCSI
Order of the Star of India
The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes:# Knight Grand Commander # Knight Commander # Companion...
on 2 September 1904.