William Russell (governor)

William Eustis Russell ( born January 6, 1857 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, † July 16, 1896 ) was an American politician and from 1891 to 1894 Governor of Massachusetts.

Early years and political rise

William Russell went to 1877 Harvard University and then studied at Boston University until 1879 Jura. He then worked as a lawyer at the law firm of his father. He became a member of the Democratic Party. Between 1883 and 1884 he was on the city council of Cambridge and from 1884 to 1887 he was mayor of that city. In the following years, he applied twice unsuccessfully for the office of the governor of Massachusetts: First, he lost to Oliver Ames, then against John Brackett.

Governor of Massachusetts

On November 4, 1890 William Russell but was then elected with 49:46 percent of the vote against Republican incumbent Brackett as the new governor of his state. Since he was confirmed in the following two years each, he could remain in office between January 7, 1891, to January 3, 1894. During his tenure, the so-called "poll tax" was abolished in Massachusetts, which linked the right to vote with a certain wealth. For an inheritance tax was introduced. Moreover, some labor laws were reformed.

Further CV

After the end of his governorship Russell was working as a lawyer again. In early July 1896 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. He died a few days later. With his wife Margaret Manning William Russell had three children. His son Richard was 1935-1936 deputy in the U.S. House of Representatives.