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| John Russell |
The earliest ancestor of the Russell family that can
so far be traced
is Stephen Russell of Dorset, who, in
1394, represented Weymouth in Parliament.
His great-great-grandson John established the family fortune, becoming Baron
Russell and Earl of Bedford. He enjoyed the privileged position of being
entrusted with many state offices and diplomatic missions under Henry VIII.
Most of the family estates were granted in recognition of his services.
Other Russells became prominent Parliamentarians, most notably Lord John Russell. He carried the first great electoral reform bill through Parliament in 1832. In other spheres of public service, the Fourth Duke negotiated the Treaty of Paris in 1763 and several 19th century family members entered the diplomatic service and army. Herbrand,the eleventh Duke, a military man, played a constant and unostentatious part in the business of the House of Lords although his great interest in animals and natural history is reflected in his 37 year presidency of the Royal Zoological Society. He introduced many different species of deer into the deer park, including the Pere David deer, which would later be saved from extinction by the herd at Woburn.
The varied interests of all the previous Dukes are reflected in many of
the beautiful objects they collected as patrons of all forms of art. Today
we’re delighted to share these with visitors.