Russell S. Codman Jr.

Russell Sturgis Codman Jr. (June 15, 1896 – June 24, 1992) was an American real estate executive who served as commissioner of the Boston Fire Department from 1946 to 1950.

Early life and education Codman was born on June 15, 1896, in Milton, Massachusetts, to Russell Sturgis Codman and Anna Kneeland Crafts. He attended Noble and Greenough School, the Groton Academy, and Milton Academy and graduated from Harvard University in 1919.

Military service In 1915, Codman served with the Massachusetts State Militia in the Mexican Border War.

Business career After graduating, Codman worked in the banking and brokerage business before joining his father's real estate firm. Codman served for many years as treasurer and director of Codman & Codman. He became the firm's president in 1956 following the death of his brother, Charles R. Codman. Codman also served as president and director of Congress Street Safe Deposit Vaults. In 1968 he was made a member of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, 3rd Class. Patterson, however, continued her acting career, appearing at the Salzburg Festival and signing with Universal Pictures in 1927. The couple divorced in 1929.

On June 26, 1947, Codman, 50, married Jane Davies Ferguson, 22, at her family's home in Newton Center, Massachusetts. They had three daughters. The Codmans were longtime residents of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts.

Codman was a member of the Somerset Club, Union Boat Club, Longwood Cricket Club, Harvard Club of Boston, and was a founding member of Le Club des Arts Gastronomiques of Boston. Codman also served as president of the French Center of New England and was made a Chevalier of the Legion d'honneur in 1951. In 1962 he was promoted to officer in the legion.

A noted wine connoisseur, Codman served as a wine consultant for S.S. Pierce and authored Vintage Dinners.

Codman died on June 24, 1992, at the Lahey Clinic. He was 96 years old.