Isaac Hugh Russell was a glass painter by trade, but is best known for his botanical illustration of W. Baxter's ''
British Phaenogamous Botany
''British Phaenogamous Botany'' is a book of figures and descriptions of British flowering plants compiled by the botanist William Baxter.
Description
The six volumes were published by Baxter himself in Oxford and sold by J.H. Parker as well as ...
''
[Hudson, G. (2010, May 27). Baxter, William (1787–1871), botanist. ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.'' Retrieved 4 Apr. 2021, from https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-1740]''.'' He lived and worked in the Oxford area in the early 19th century.
Early life
Little is known of Russell's early life other than that he was born around 1779 to 1781; the 1841 Census puts his place of birth outside England and Wales.
[Census of England and Wales, 1841]
Russell was based in Caroline Street, St Clement's from as early as 1828 until his death in 1849. The area was popular with tradespeople and craftsmen as its location just outside the City of Oxford until 1836 meant that it was beyond the scope of the City's higher rates (property taxes), rents and more restrictive trading regulations.
Work
In the 1830s, Russell was one of two local artists approached by
William Baxter, Curator of the nearby
University of Oxford Botanic Garden
The University of Oxford Botanic Garden is the oldest botanic garden in Great Britain and one of the oldest scientific gardens in the world. The garden was founded in 1621 as a physic garden growing plants for medicinal research. Today it conta ...
to illustrate his ''
British Phaenogamous Botany or Figures and Descriptions of the Genera of British Flowering Plants.'' (1834–43). Russell produced over 200 illustrations which were coloured by Baxter's daughter and are now widely reproduced as posters and prints..
As a glass painter, Russell's most significant known work is the east window of
St Clement's Church, Oxford
St Clement's Church is an evangelical Church of England parish church situated just to the east of central Oxford, England.
History
The present church dates from the 1820s, but replaced a much older building, which was demolished in 1829.
Th ...
.
His son, Isaac, was also a glass artist.
Death
Russell died on 19 May 1849 at St Georges Yard, St Clement's, Oxford. He was buried in
St Clement's churchyard.
[Burial register, St Clement's, Oxford]
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Russell, Isaac Hugh
18th-century births
Year of birth uncertain
1849 deaths
British artists
Artists from Oxfordshire
Stained glass artists and manufacturers
Botanical illustrators