Russell, William, Sir, 1868-1931 (British civil servant)
Biography/Historical note
William Russell served in many British Government Commissions. Throughout his career he proved to be a good lawyer and conscientious civil servant. In 1905 he accepted the secretaryship of the Royal Commission on Coal Supplies, then joined various governmental committees amongst which it is worth mentioning the Departmental Committee on Railway Amalgamations and Agreements, 1910-1911. Initially, he was involved in the British School at Rome activities as a subscriber to the Faculty of Archaeology, History and Letters (FAHL) and a friend, but in the 1920s was persuaded to take the responsibility of the finances of FAHL. He was also a very generous supporter of the institution by endowing the Library with several investments and, in 1925, a gift of 3,000 £ that enabled the purchase of the personal Library of Thomas Ashby, BSR Director from 1906 to 1925, including books and works relating to the Topography of Rome and Italy.
Nationality:
English.
Education:
Corpus Christi College, Oxford (no date).
Role within the BSR:
Member of the Executive Committee and Finance Committee. Honorary Treasurer of the Faculty of Archaeology, History and Letters (FAHL), 1925-1931. Honorary Fellow, 1931.