Russell Johnston, Baron Russell-Johnston

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David Russell Russell-Johnston, Baron Russell-Johnston, PC (born July 28, 1932) is a leading Scottish Liberal Democrat politician.

Russell Johnston was born and educated on the Isle of Skye. He later attended Edinburgh University (graduating with a Master of Arts in history in 1957) and Moray House College of Education, before working as a schoolteacher.

He was elected to the House of Commons and represented Inverness for the Liberal Party (1964–1983) and Inverness, Nairn and Lochaber as a Member of Parliament for the Liberal Party (1983–1988) and for the Liberal Democrats (1988–1997]). He also served as leader of the Scottish Liberal Party and as deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats (1988–1992).

In the 1992 election, he made history by holding his seat with just 26% of the vote, in a close four-way battle with Labour, the SNP, and the Conservatives.

Upon his retirement from the House of Commons in 1997, he was created a life peer as Baron Russell-Johnston of Ninginish in Highland, changing his surname by deed poll to allow his forename to be incorporated into his title.

Johnston married Joan Graham Menzies in 1967. They have three sons.