William Russell, Lord Russell
(1639-1683), Politician; MP for Tavistock and BedfordshireSitter associated with 28 portraits
Russell was the grandson of the disgraced Earl and Countess of Somerset, who had scandalised the Jacobean Court. He was a Whig politician, known as 'The Patriot', who defended religious nonconformity, a limited monarchy and the right of resistance. He feared that if James, then Duke of York, became king he would overturn parliamentary power with policies promoting France, Catholicism and absolutism. He supported the Exclusion Bill which attempted to remove James from the order of succession. Russell maintained his innocence of involvement in the Rye House Plot but was found guilty of treason and executed.
attributed to Thomas Flatman
watercolour on vellum, circa 1675
NPG 6278
Unknown man, formerly known as William Russell, Lord Russell
possibly after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, feigned oval, based on a work of circa 1680
NPG 202
Politicians in the reign of King Charles II
by and sold by John Savage
line engraving, late 17th century
NPG D29502
after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, (circa 1680-1683)
NPG D18910
by Peter Vanderbank (Vandrebanc), after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, 1683
NPG D29410
by Peter Vanderbank (Vandrebanc), after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, 1683
NPG D39934
published by Edward Cooper, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, circa 1683
NPG D11976
by Peter Vanderbank (Vandrebanc), after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, 1683
NPG D18703
after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, early 18th century
NPG D8470
by Bernard Picart (Picard), after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, 1724
NPG D29412
after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, mid to late 18th century
NPG D29416
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, published 1739
NPG D29411
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, published 1739
NPG D39932
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, published 1739
NPG D39933
by Charles Grignion, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, published 1757
NPG D29413
by Thomas Cook, published by George Kearsley, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, published 1775
NPG D29414
published by Henry Delahoy Symonds
line engraving, published 22 May 1796
NPG D39941
'Lord W. Russel's last interview with his family'
by George Noble, published by Robert Bowyer, after Robert Smirke
line engraving, published 5 October 1796
NPG D5858
William Russell, Lord Russell taking leave of Lady Russell & Children on the day of his Execution
by Charles Knight, published by J. Deeley, after Thomas Stothard
hand-coloured stipple engraving, published 1 March 1809
NPG D39936
by Henry Bone, after Unknown artist
pen and ink, 1811
NPG D17675
Tell us more back to top
Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.
If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.
Please note that we cannot provide valuations.
We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.
Get Creative
Enter our Jubilee family competition
Submit your family’s recreation of a Royal portrait to win some Jubilee goodies
Enter now
Develop your art skills
Discover our BP Next Generation short films made by artists. Follow step by step guides in drawing and painting techniques.
Hold Still photography workshop
Reflect on your own experiences of lockdown through this easy-to-do from home, photographic exercise.
Draw Like a Renaissance Master
Revisit The Encounter exhibition and learn about Renaissance and Baroque drawing methods and materials.