Born in 1823 at Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland, the son of the Rev. Thomas Russell. Orphaned as a child, he was raised by his uncle, Sir William Smith. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin (B.A.,1846). Arrived at Sydney New South Wales in 1847 with his friend, Peter Teulon Beamish, under the auspices of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. Both were ordained deacons on 19 September 1847 at St. Andrew's, Sydney by Bishop Broughton. Appointed to St. Mark's, Alexandria. A staunch Protestant, he conflicted with Bishop Broughton over the Puseyite practices at the Lyndhurst College, Sydney. When the Bishop withdrew his licence to preach he visited the more evangelical Bishop Charles Perry in Melbourne, arriving there on 9 January 1850 per "Shamrock" from Sydney. Eventually appointed to the Wannon River area in the Western District. A parsonage was built near Coleraine where he and his wife Margarette spent the ensuing years. Became a Doctor of Laws. Ordained priest in 1866. Departed in 1875 to visit England. Died on 7 February 1876 on the "Hampshire" on the return voyage at latitude 31.37 south and longitude 18.58 west and was buried on 8 February 1876 at sea.

[death certificate; Burtchaell & Sadlier Alumni Dublinesis; Australian Dictionary of Biography (Vol. 2); Crockford's Clerical Directories]

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