John Russell, 1st Earl Russell

John Russell Historical Figure Nationality: United Kingdom Year of Birth: 1792 Year of Death: 1878 Cause of Death: Natural causes Religion: Church of England Occupation: Politician Spouse: Adelaide Lister, Frances Elliot Children: Six Relatives: Bertrand Russell (grandson) Political Party: Whig Party, later Liberal Party Political Office(s): Member of Parliament for several constituencies Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Fictional Appearances: The Guns of the South POD: January 17, 1864 Type of Appearance: Contemporary reference Southern Victory POD: September 10, 1862 Appearance(s): American Front Type of Appearance: Contemporary reference

John Russell, 1st Earl Russell, KG, GCMG, PC (18 August 1792 – 28 May 1878), known as Lord John Russell before 1861, was an English Whig and Liberal politician who served twice as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1846-52, 1865-6). He also served as Foreign Secretary under Lord Palmerston from 1859 to 1865, a period of numerous momentous global events, including the unification of Italy, the Second Schleswig War between the Prussia-Austrian alliance and Denmark (one of the early events in the unification of Germany), and the American Civil War.

John Russell in The Guns of the South

During John Russell's tenure as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Britain, the Confederate States gained independence during the Second American Revolution in 1864. While the British government did recognise the C.S. in light of their decisive victory, before this, Britain had been reluctant to recognise or extend diplomatic ties to a country so dependent on slavery. Russell conveyed this to C.S. envoy James Mason, who in turn conveyed the message to Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Even after victory, this position rankled Davis, who shared his disdain with Robert E. Lee.

John Russell in Southern Victory

During John Russell's tenure as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Britain, the United States fought the War of Secession. In 1862, with the Southern states' victory at the Battle of Camp Hill, Russell was directed by Prime Minister Lord Palmerston to offer to mediate between the US and the newly-recognised Confederate States. U.S. President Abraham Lincoln reluctantly accepted his offer, ending the war and creating the Confederate States. Throughout the remainder of his tenure, Russell saw to it that the CS remained a close ally of Britain's.

References

Political offices (OTL)
Preceded by Robert Peel	Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 1846-1852	Succeeded by Earl of Derby
Preceded by Lord Palmerston	Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 1865-1866	Succeeded by Earl of Derby
Preceded by James Harris, 3rd Earl of Malmesbury	Foreign Secretary 1852-1853	Succeeded by George Villiers, 4th Earl of Clarendon
Preceded by James Harris, 3rd Earl of Malmesbury	Foreign Secretary 1859-1865	Succeeded by George Villiers, 4th Earl of Clarendon