John Russell, 1st Earl Russell

The Rt Hon The Earl Russell
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
In office 30 June 1846 – 23 February 1852 29 October 1865 – 28 June 1866
Preceded by	Sir Robert Peel, Bt The Viscount Palmerston
Succeeded by	The Earl of Derby
Personal details
Born	(1792-08-18)18 August 1792 London, England
Died	28 May 1878(1878-05-28) (aged 85)
Political party	Whig and Liberal

John Russell, 1st Earl Russell, KG, GCMG, PC (18 August 1792 – 28 May 1878) was an English Whig and Liberal politician. He served twice as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in the mid-19th century.

Biography

Russell was known as "Lord John Russell", which is called a courtesy title. As the third son of the then Duke of Bedford, he was entitled to use one of the family's lower titles. Before becoming Prime Minister, he served in other important posts, such as Home Secretary, Colonial Secretary and Foreign Secretary.