Oliver Russell, 2nd Baron Ampthill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Ampthill
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| Viceroy of India (acting) | |
| In office 30 April 1904 – 13 December 1904 |
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| Preceded by | The Lord Curzon of Kedleston |
| Succeeded by | The Lord Curzon of Kedleston |
| Governor of Madras | |
| In office 15 October 1900 – 30 April 1904 |
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| Governor-General | The Lord Curzon of Kedleston |
| Succeeded by | Sir James Thompson (acting) |
| In office 13 December 1904 – 15 February 1906 |
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| Governor-General | George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston |
| Preceded by | Sir James Thompson (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Sir Gabriel Stokes (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 February 1869 Rome, Italy |
| Died | 7 July 1935 (aged 66) United Kingdom |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse |
Lady Margaret Lygon
(m. 1894) |
| Children | 5, including John and Guy |
| Parents | Odo Russell, 1st Baron Ampthill Lady Emily Villiers |
Arthur Oliver Villiers Russell, 2nd Baron Ampthill (born February 19, 1869 – died July 7, 1935) was an important British leader. He was known for his work as a civil servant and also as a talented rower. He served as the Governor of Madras (a region in India) from 1900 to 1906. He also briefly acted as the Viceroy of India, which was like being the top leader of British India, from April to December 1904.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Arthur Oliver Villiers Russell was born in Rome, Italy, on February 19, 1869. He was the oldest son of the first Baron Ampthill. His mother, Lady Emily Theresa, worked for Queen Victoria.
Arthur became the Baron Ampthill when he was only 15 years old, after his father passed away. He went to famous schools like Eton College and New College, Oxford. He graduated from Oxford in 1892. While at Oxford, he was a key member of the rowing team that won the 1890 Boat Race.
A magazine called Vanity Fair described him as "a very tall, very agreeable, and good-looking young man." It also mentioned his strength in rowing and that he had many friends who called him "Dick."
A Leader in India
Arthur Russell took on important roles in the British government. From 1895 to 1900, he worked for Joseph Chamberlain, who was the Colonial Secretary. This job involved managing parts of the British Empire.
Governor of Madras
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In September 1900, when he was just 31, Russell was appointed Governor of the Madras Presidency in India. He held this position until 1906. As Governor, he helped open important places like the King Institute in Madras and the Rangaraya Medical College. He also opened the Cochin State Forest Tramway, which was a special railway for moving timber.
During his time as Governor, some people in India wanted to create a separate state called Orissa. Russell did not support this idea at the time.
Acting Viceroy of India
In 1904, the main leader of British India, Lord Curzon, went back to England for a while. Arthur Russell was chosen to act as the Viceroy of India during this time. He served as Viceroy from April to December 1904.
As Viceroy, Russell stayed loyal to Lord Curzon's ideas. He worked to prevent other British officials from changing Curzon's policies. However, he couldn't stop Lord Kitchener from gaining more control over the military.
Back in England
After returning to England in 1906, Russell became a strong supporter of Indian people living in South Africa. He also led a committee that advised on Indian students in the United Kingdom.
During the First World War, Lord Ampthill commanded groups of soldiers in France. He was recognized for his bravery twice. He also helped start the National Party in 1917. He retired from military service in 1926 as a colonel. Lord Ampthill was also the President of The Magic Circle, a famous group for magicians.
His Love for Rowing
Lord Ampthill was a very dedicated rower. He started rowing at Eton College and was the Captain of the Boats there in 1887 and 1888.
While at Oxford University, he rowed for the Oxford team three times in the famous the Boat Race against Cambridge (from 1889 to 1891). His team won twice! In 1891, he was the president of both the Oxford University Boat Club and the Oxford Union (a debating society).
After Oxford, he continued rowing for other clubs. He became the president of the London Rowing Club in 1893 and stayed in that role for almost 40 years until he passed away.
He also competed many times at the Henley Royal Regatta, a very important rowing event. He won two different races there in 1890 and 1891. He was even chosen to be a Steward of the Henley Royal Regatta, helping to organize the event.
Henley Wins
- 1890 – Silver Goblets (with Guy Nickalls)
- 1891 – Grand Challenge Cup (with Leander Club)
- 1891 – Silver Goblets (with Guy Nickalls)
Other Important Roles
International Olympic Committee
From 1894 to 1898, Lord Ampthill was a member of the very first International Olympic Committee. This committee helps organize the Olympic Games.
Freemasonry Explained
Lord Ampthill was also a prominent member of Freemasonry, which is a fraternal organization with a long history. He held many important leadership positions within the group, including being the head of Freemasons in Bedfordshire and Madras. From 1908 until his death in 1935, he was the Pro Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, which is a very high rank.
A special lodge (a local group of Freemasons) in India was named "Lodge Ampthill No. 3682" in his honor in 1914.
Honours and Awards
Lord Ampthill received several important awards for his service.
- He was made a Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (GCIE) in 1900, just before he went to India.
- He was also appointed a Knight Grand Commander of the Star of India (GCSI) in 1904. These awards recognized his important work and leadership in India.
Family
On October 6, 1894, Arthur Ampthill married Lady Margaret Lygon. They had five children together:
- John Russell, 3rd Baron Ampthill (1896–1973)
- Adm Sir Guy Russell (1898–1977)
- Phyllis Margaret Russell, OBE (1900–1998)
- Wg Cdr Edward Wriothesley Curzon Russell, OBE (1901–1982)
- Brig Leopold Oliver Russell, CBE, TD (1907–1988)
His oldest son, John Russell, became the next Baron Ampthill after his father passed away.
Death
Lord Ampthill passed away from pneumonia on July 7, 1935. Many tributes were written about him, including a poem in The Times newspaper that remembered his rowing achievements.
Images for kids
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Russell was educated at New College, Oxford.
