Archibald George Blomefield Russell (20 June 1879 – 30 November 1955) was an English art historian and a long-serving officer of arms at the College of Arms in London.

Early life

Russell was the fourth son of Theodosius Stuart Russell, Chief Constable of Yorkshire, and his wife Louisa Blomefield the daughter of Rev. Sir Thomas Blomefield, 3rd Baronet. Russell was educated at Eton and

Christ Church, Oxford Christ Church ( la, Ædes Christi, the temple or house, '' ædēs'', of Christ, and thus sometimes known as "The House") is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. Founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII, the college is uniqu ...

and became a journalist, art critic and art historian, writing works on William Blake.

Heraldic career

Russell's heraldic career began on 10 November 1915 when he was made Rouge Croix Pursuivant of Arms In Ordinary. The vacancy in this office occurred due to the promotion of Arthur Cochrane to the office of Chester Herald earlier in the year. On 21 April 1922, Russell was promoted to the office of

Lancaster Herald of Arms in Ordinary Lancaster Herald of Arms in Ordinary is an England, English officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. The title of Lancaster Herald first occurs in 1347 at Calais, and to begin with this officer was a servant to the noble house of Duchy of ...

. This appointment came as a result of the death of the previous Lancaster, Edward Bellasis. Russell served as a herald in ordinary for more than thirty years. In 1954, with the death of Arthur Cochrane, a vacancy occurred in the office of Clarenceux King of Arms. Russell was chosen to fill the position and held it until his death a year later. Russell married Janet Frances Kerr in 1915 and had two sons who were killed during World War II.Taukkyan War Cemetery
/ref> In his later years he was an ardent collector of moths and butterflies. He was a Fellow of the

Royal Society of Antiquaries The Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland is a learned society based in Ireland, whose aims are "to preserve, examine and illustrate all ancient monuments and memorials of the arts, manners and customs of the past, as connected with the antiqu ...

and a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society.

Published works

*''The Prophetic Books of William Blake: Jerusalem'', Ed., 1904. *''The Letters of William Blake; together with a Life by Frederick Tatham''. Methuen, 1906. *''The Prophetic Books of William Blake: Milton'', Ed., 1907. *''The engravings of William Blake'', Houghton Mifflin, 1912.

Arms

References

External links