Russell, Lord John
b. 1792-08-18
d. 1878-05-28
Russell was Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs from 1852 to 1853 and 1859-1865. In this time, he corresponded with Governor James Douglas and was involved in the discussion of many colonial matters, including the San Juan Island Dispute.1
Russell was born in 1792 into a very liberal, aristocratic family and educated at the University of Edinburgh. He became a Member of Parliament in 1813 and worked hard at Liberal parliamentary reform. Russell was elected British Prime Minister from 1846 to 1852, and again from 1865-1866. In this time, he established a national board of public health and a maximum 10 hour day for factory workers.2 Russell wrote profusely in his later life, including a biography and several works of history. He died on his family estate in 1878.3
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Douglas, James

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San Juan Island