Henry Stuart Russell
Henry Stuart Russell | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Halliford, Middlesex, England |
| Died | March 5, 1889 (aged 70) Ottery St. Mary, Devon, England |
| Occupation(s) | Pioneer, legislator, historian, pastoralist |
| Years active | 1840–1888 |
| Known for | Founding Cecil Plains Station; first European to discover Mary River and Boyne River; member of the New South Wales Legislative Council |
Henry Stuart Russell (16 March 1818 – 5 March 1889) was an English-born pioneer, legislator, historian, and pastoralist, recognized for founding Cecil Plains Station near the Condamine River in Australia.
Early life
Russell was born in Halliford, Middlesex, England, as the son of an officer serving with the East India Company. His education took place at Harrow School followed by studies at Christ Church, Oxford. In 1840, he emigrated to Sydney, Australia, where he resided on a New England property owned by his second cousin, Arthur Hodgson.
Career
In May 1842, Russell participated in an expedition searching for suitable sheep grazing land in the Wide Bay–Burnett region. This party became the first Europeans to encounter the river subsequently named the Mary River. During this journey, they also apprehended two escaped convicts. Later that year, in November 1842, Russell led another exploration during which he was the first European to identify and name the Boyne River, an achievement that resulted in his ownership of Burrandowan station.
Russell disposed of Burrandowan in 1847, selling it to Philip Friell. By 1852, he had purchased the pastoral lease Woondul from Thomas DeLacy Moffat.
In January 1853, Russell secured election to the Legislative Council of New South Wales, representing the constituency of Stanley Boroughs. He divested his share in Cecil Plains in 1859, transferring it to his chief stockman, James Taylor. Afterward, he returned to Sydney and lived at Mosman Bay for seven years until financial setbacks compelled him to relocate back to England in 1888. That same year, he authored The Genesis of Queensland, documenting the initial colonization and growth of the pastoral sector. Russell passed away on 5 March 1889 at Ottery St. Mary, Devon.
Personal life
Russell entered into marriage twice. His first marriage occurred in 1851 with Charlotte, sister of Philip Pinnock, a prominent Queensland police magistrate and sheriff. In 1874, he wed Selina Oakes, who survived him along with five sons from his first union and one daughter from his second.