Biography of Michael Russell

Michael Russell enrolled at the University of Glasgow in 1800, and went on to graduate MA in 1806. He was conferred an honorary LLD in 1820.

Russell became an Episcopal clergyman, ministering at Alloa (1808-09), and then Leith (1809-48). He was appointed Dean of Edinburgh 1832-37, and Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway from 1837-48.

Russell was also a prolific author, publishing on a wide variety of topics, from the history of the Church of Scotland to a biography of Oliver Cromwell. Among his publications, Polynesia: or, an historical account of the principal islands in the South Sea, including New Zealand was just one of six volumes on distant lands and cultures he contributed to the Edinburgh Cabinet Library between 1831 and his death in 1848.

Sources

Other Online Resources

• Thomas Finlayson Henderson, 'Russell, Michael' in Dictionary of National Biography 1885–1900, vol. 49, pp. 467–8

Archival Materials

• Addison, W. Innes, The Matriculation Albums of the University of Glasgow, 1728-1858, p.195

Summary

Michael Russell
Born 12 August 1781.
Died 2 April 1848.
GU Degrees: MA, 1806; Arts, LLD, 1820;
University Link: Alumnus, Graduate, Honorary Graduate
Occupation categories: authors; clergy
English snippet: Arts and honorary graduate of the University of Glasgow in 1806 and 1820, Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway, and prolific author
Record last updated: 29th Oct 2013

Country Associations

Scotland, Edinburgh
Place of Birth

Scotland, Leith
Place of Death

University Connections

University Roles

• Alumnus
• Graduate [View Michael Russell's record in the list of graduates]
• Honorary Graduate