Henry Russell

Henry Patrick Marie, Count Russell-Killough (1834–1909) was one of the pioneers of Pyrenean exploration, known for his obsession with the Vignemale, and considered an early Pyrénéist of the 19th century.

Early life Russell's father was Thomas John Russell, who was feudal baron of Killough, County Down, and a relative of Charles Russell, later Baron Russell of Killowen. Thomas John Russell emigrated to France aged 22 to escape anti-Catholic discrimination in Ireland. He fought in the Papal Army in 1860 and was made a Papal Count in 1862. Henry was born in Toulouse to Thomas' second wife, Marie-Josephine-Aglaë-Ferdinande, daughter of the Marquis de Flamarens. These caves lacked the grandeur of his higher perches, however, so for his seventh and final cave – Le Paradis – he had a spot 18 m below the summit of the Vignemale dynamited to effect a suitable dwelling. It was here, when he was sixty, that he celebrated the 'silver wedding' of his first ascent. He made his thirty-third and final ascent of the Vignemale on 8 August 1904.

Pic Russell in the Maladeta massif is named after him; he made the first ascent in 1865.

On his death in Biarritz in 1909 he was buried at the cemetery in Pau.

First ascents

The following is a selection of Russell's first ascents in the Pyrenees. Names of companions are given; otherwise the ascents were undertaken alone. Pic d'Ardiden, 2988 m, 1858 Lustou, 3023 m, 1864 Pic Carlit, 2921 m, 1864 Pic des Gourgs Blancs, 3129 m, with J. Haurillon, 1864 Pico de Coronas, 3293 m, with a porter, 1864 Cilindro de Marboré, 3,328 m, with Hippolyte Passet, 1864 Pic Russell, 3205 m, with C. Packe, 1865 Marboré, 3248 m, with Hippolyte Passet, 24 September 1865 Pena del Infierno Ctl., 3082 m, with Sarettes, 20 June 1867 Pico Royo, 3121 m, with Haurillon, 1868 Pic d'Albe, 3107 m, with Haurillon, July 1868 Grande Fache 3005 m, with Latour, August 1874 Gabiétous Or., 3031 m, with C. Passet, September 1874 Garmo Negro, 3051 m, with Sarettes, Pablo Belio, 23 June 1876 Pic Occ. de la Cascade, 3095 m, with C. Passet 1877 2e Pic Occ. de la Maladeta, 3220 m, with C. Passet, 25 August 1877 Eriste S, 3045 m, 17 July 1878 Grand Eriste, 3053 m, with F. Barrau, 17 July 1878 Robiñera, 3003 m, with C. Passet, 13 August 1878 Punta del Sabre, 3136 m, with C. Passet, Vincent Grassy, 10 September 1878 Petit Astazou 3012 m, with C. Passet, 21 July 1879 Punta de Lliterola, 3132 m, with C. Passet, 30 July 1879 Grand Quayrat, 3060 m, with Henri Reboul Peytier, Hossard C. Passet, 1 August 1879 Tuca de Mulleres, 3010 m, with F. Barrau, B. Courrèges, 5 August 1879 Pic d'Aragüells, 3037 m, with F. Barrau, 10 August 1880 Pico del Medio, 3346 m, with Firmin Barrau, Célestin Passet, 12 July 1881 Pic Occ. de Clarabide, 3020 m, 6 July 1882 Pic Or. de Clarabide, 3012 m, with F. Barrau, C. Passet, 6 July 1882 Diente de Alba, 3136 m, with Barthélémy Courrèges, 31 August 1882 Grand Pic de Tapou, 3150 m, with Haurine, Pierre Pujo, 1 August 1883 Pic du Milieu de Tapou, 3130 m, with Haurine, Pierre Pujo, 1 August 1883 Pic des Pavots, 3121 m, with Pierre Barrau (fils), André Subra, 22 June 1885