Francis Russell (solicitor) facts for kids

Francis Russell (born 1740 – died September 1, 1795) was an English lawyer, government official, and writer. He is known for his work with the Duchy of Lancaster and the East India Company, as well as for building a large house called Russell Mansion, which is now a golf club.

Francis Russell's Life Story

Francis Russell was the youngest son of a lawyer who also worked as a town official in Basingstoke, Hampshire. His older brother, Sambrooke Russell, was a historian. Francis followed in his father's footsteps, training to become a lawyer and then starting his own practice.

Around 1762, a powerful person named James Smith-Stanley, Lord Strange, who was in charge of the Duchy of Lancaster, asked Francis to help with legal work for the Duchy. The Duchy of Lancaster is a large area of land and property that belongs to the British monarch. Francis worked hard to organize all the Duchy's records, and he eventually stopped doing other legal work to focus entirely on this important task. He was even given the title "His Majesty's Surveyor for the South part of the Duchy" when a large area called Enfield Chace was divided up in 1777.

As part of this division, Francis Russell was allowed to buy about 152 acres of land. This land was located near Beech Hill and Cockfosters Road in Hadley Wood. On this land, he built a grand house called Russell Mansion. This mansion later became known as Beech Hill Park and is now the clubhouse for the Hadley Wood Golf Club.

Later in his career, Francis Russell was asked to help reorganize the affairs of the East India Company. This powerful company managed trade and even ruled parts of India for Britain. Francis became the Secretary to the India Board, which was a government group that oversaw the East India Company. He was also a respected member of the Royal Society and the Society of Antiquaries of London, which are groups dedicated to science and history.

Francis Russell's Writings

Francis Russell wrote a book titled A Short History of the East India Company. It was published in 1793, but he chose not to put his name on it at the time.

Images for kids

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  Francis Russell

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  Beech Hill Park, as illustrated in European Magazine, 1 July 1796.