John Russell (1745–1806)

• Was an English painter.
• Russell was born in Guildford, Surrey.
• Russell was educated at the Royal Grammar School, Guildford.
• He trained under Francis Cotes in London.
• At the age of 19 he converted to Methodism.
• Russell set up his own studio, in London, in 1767.
• On 5 February 1770, he married Hannah Faden. 
• In 1772, he wrote Elements of Painting with Crayons, by which time he had won premiums for his drawings from the Society of Arts in 1759 and 1760.
• Entered the Royal Academy school of art in 1770.
• He exhibited at the Society of Artists of Great Britain in 1768 and showed 330 works at the Academy between 1769 until and his death.
• In 1790, he was appointed Crayon (pastel) Painter to King George III, Queen Charlotte, the Prince of Wales.
• He was on good terms with Sir Joshua Reynolds, with whom he dined at the academy, the Dilettanti Society, and the Literary Club.
• In 1803 became almost deaf following a bout of cholera.
• He died in Hull in 1806 after contracting typhus.
• Russell was interested in astronomy.

• Of his twelve children, William Russell (1780–1870), exhibited portraits at the Royal Academy from 1805 to 1809.

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