The New Student's Reference Work/Russell, William

Russell, William, Lord, an English patriot, was born on Sept, 29, 1639. He studied at Cambridge and then traveled for a time on the continent. In 1669 he married Lady Rachel Wriothesley. In 1674 he spoke in the house of commons, of which he had been a silent member since the restoration, against the doings of the Cabal, the famous advisers of Charles II. From this time he was a leader of the commons. He believed in the popish plot and carried up to the house of lords the bill to shut out the duke of York from the throne. Russell, Essex and Sidney (q. v.) were arrested on suspicion of having taken part in the Rye House plot. By means of infamous witnesses and a packed jury he was found guilty. His father’s offer of $500,000 for his life was refused; he would not accept a plan made for his escape; and on July 21, 1683, he was beheaded. Pity for his judicial murder and the letters of his noble wife, who at his trial appeared at court as his secretary, have served to keep his memory fresh as a Christian hero. See the Letters of Lady Russell and Life by Lord John Russell.