Author: RUSSEL, William P.
Biography:
RUSSEL, William P. (fl 1793-1827)
Although Russel published many books and corresponded voluminously with the RLF, biographical information for him is in short supply. His name, even with the distinctive spelling of Russel, is not uncommon and it is not known where or when he was born or died. Nothing is known about his education. His first published work seems to be his A Few Hints for the Consideration of the Methodists (1793) which identifies him as the curate of Pershore, Worcestershire. (He is not listed in CCEd.) It was followed by A Short Address to the Public (1793) but by 1796 when he published Reform or Revolution Russel had ceased to be a cleric. His The Medical Quaerist, and Investigator states that he had studied medicine before becoming a clergyman and by 1802 was "a Practitioner in the humblest department of the Art of Healing" who hoped to open a school for boys. His first letter to the RLF, dated 7 May 1802 from 56 Red Lion Street in London, refers to The Medical Quaerist as ready for publication; the fund granted him £10. The file does not include a standard application form with his date of birth, family circumstances, and list of works; there is no indication anywhere that he was married and had a family. Over the next twenty-five years Russel wrote well over 60 letters to the RLF--letters which include suggestions for the management of the fund and occasionally bitter complaints about the small amounts he was awarded. The letters also detail his slide into increasingly desperate poverty and ill-health. In all the RLF paid him over £90 despite Russel's complaints that its "Dribletic Portions" of money served but to protract his "Existence in Misery" (letter of 13 June 1827). Russel was also busy writing books and pamphlets; in addition to the work listed here he published more than 30 works on philology, literature, politics, and medicine. His A Letter on a Subject of High Importance to the General Interests of Literature respectfully addressed to...the Literary Fund dates from 1803. At least some of his publications were sold from his home at 23 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, London. His final letter to the RLF is dated 18 June 1827. Nothing more is known. (RLF file 123) SR