Russell Wilson

Russell "Russ" Wilson (November 10, 1876 — November 27, 1946) was an American politician and newspaper editor. He was the mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio from 1930 to 1937. He was a founder of Sigma Sigma honor society in 1898.

Early life Wilson was born November 10, 1876, in the West End of Cincinnati, Ohio. Wilson attended public schools in Cincinnati, including the 12th District School and Franklin High School. After one year, he transferred to the University of Cincinnati College of Law. He was a founder of Sigma Sigma honorary society in the summer of 1898. In October 1898, he played the interlocutor in a minstrel show produced by the University Glee and Mandolin Clubs. In 1900, he joined the Zeta Psi chapter of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati with an LLB degree in 1900. In 1913, he was promoted to associate editor, working in that capacity until he became a politician in 1929.

Although raised in a Democratic household, Wilson was initially an independent Republican, he wrote editorials against the Cincinnati Charter Party in its early days. While on city council, Wilson fought against administrative corruption and supported the enforcement of gambling laws. He was succeeded as mayor by James Garfield Stewart. In 1940 and 1941, Wilson was head of the Cincinnati chapter of the Committee to Defend America, organized to promote support of Britain and France against Germany. In the fall of 1941, the chapter merged with Cincinnati (Fight for Freeddom) chapter. Wilson suggested the fraternity's name when it was organized several years prior.