Addison Peale Russell

Addison Peale Russell
12th Ohio Secretary of State
In office
January 11, 1858 – January 13, 1862
Preceded by James H. Baker
Succeeded by Benjamin R. Cowen
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the Clinton County district
In office
January 7, 1856 – January 3, 1858
Preceded by Thomas D. Austin
Succeeded by David P. Quinn
Personal details
Born September 8, 1826(1826-09-08)
Wilmington, Ohio
Died July 24, 1912(1912-07-24) (aged 85)
Political party Republican
Occupation author

Addison Peale Russell (September 8, 1826 – July 24, 1912) was an American author of the later nineteenth century.[1] He is remembered mainly for his Sub-Coelum — "his best book...a Utopian protest against materialistic socialism."[2]

Russell was born in Ohio; his formal education ended with grammar school. At the age of sixteen he took a job as a printer for a newspaper; by nineteen he had worked his way up to editor and publisher of the Hillsboro, Ohio News. He pursued a journalism career until he switched to politics and public service. He was made clerk of the Ohio Senate in 1850; he later represented Clinton County, Ohio in the Ohio House of Representatives in the 52nd General Assembly (1856–57) as a Republican,[3] and was Ohio Secretary of State (1858–62). He was appointed Financial Agent for Ohio during the American Civil War, stationed in New York City.[4] He retired from public office in 1868 to pursue literature. He wrote seven books:

Apart from his biographical survey of Thomas Corwin, an Ohio governor, Russell's books generally fall into the category of belles-lettres.

Notes

  1. ^ "D. O.," "In Memoriam," The Bookman, Vol. 37 (1913), p. 545.
  2. ^ Robert L. Gale, A Henry James Encyclopedia, Westport, CT, Greenwood Press, 1989; p. 571.
  3. ^ Ohio 1917 : 282
  4. ^ Smith 1898 : 76

References