James Russell

Sir James Russell (22 November 1842 – 1 September 1893) was an Irish colonial administrator in Hong Kong and served as Chief Justice of Hong Kong from 1888 to 1892.

Early life

The third son of John Russell, Russell was born on 22 November 1842 in Broughshane, County Antrim in Ulster, Ireland, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from The Queen's University of Ireland in 1863.

Career in Hong Kong

Russell joined the Hong Kong Civil Service as a cadet in 1865. He was appointed a Government Interpreter in 1867. In 1868, he was appointed as private secretary to his fellow Irishman, Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell, the Governor of Hong Kong.

Death

In 1893, he was staying in Strathpeffer, Scotland, to convalesce. He was joined there by his old friend Sir William Henry Marsh, who had also been a senior official in Hong Kong. Russell had two heart attacks in the last week of August 1893, but by 1 September 1893 was feeling better and went down for breakfast. He had another heart attack and died a few hours later. He was 50 years old at the time.

His body was taken back to Ulster by his brother and interred in the graveyard of Broughshane First Presbyterian Church in County Antrim.

Russell Street

Russell Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Named after Russell

Russell Street in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, was named after Russell.