Thomas Russell (New Zealand)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Russell was a lawyer, politician, businessman and entrepreneur in 19th-century New Zealand
. Russell was one of the first two New Zealand-trained lawyers admitted to the bar. He was the founder of a number of major New Zealand-based companies including the Bank of New Zealand
and the New Zealand Insurance Co. He served as Minister of Colonial Defence during the New Zealand Wars.
, Ireland
, probably in 1830. His parents were Thomas Flower Russell (c. 1808-1873) and Mary Roberts (c. 1811-1847). The family emigrated to Australia as steerage passengers in 1833, and settled in Maitland
, New South Wales
, where his father farmed. In 1840 the family moved on to New Zealand, living in Kororakea at first, then Auckland
where his father worked as a builder. From 1844 Thomas Russell was articled to the lawyer Thomas Outhwaite and on 4 November 1851 was admitted as a solicitor on the roll of the Supreme Court of New Zealand. On 18 July 1854 he married Emeline Vercoe, third daughter of Henry Vercoe JP and niece of Walter Lawrie, the general superintendant of the Wesleyan church in New Zealand.
in 1861, holding the seat until his retirement from politics in 1866. He became a cabinet minister under Alfred Domett
in August 1862, and was Minister of Defence in the administration led by Frederick Whitaker
and William Fox
in 1863-4. During this time the New Zealand Settlements Act (1863) was passed, facilitating the confiscation of Māori-owned land.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. Russell was one of the first two New Zealand-trained lawyers admitted to the bar. He was the founder of a number of major New Zealand-based companies including the Bank of New Zealand
Bank of New Zealand
Bank of New Zealand is one of New Zealand’s largest banks and has been operating continuously in the country since the first office was opened in Auckland in October 1861 followed shortly after by the first branch in Dunedin in December 1861...
and the New Zealand Insurance Co. He served as Minister of Colonial Defence during the New Zealand Wars.
Early life
Thomas Russell was born in County CorkCounty Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, probably in 1830. His parents were Thomas Flower Russell (c. 1808-1873) and Mary Roberts (c. 1811-1847). The family emigrated to Australia as steerage passengers in 1833, and settled in Maitland
Maitland, New South Wales
Maitland is a city in the Lower Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia and the seat of Maitland City Council, situated on the Hunter River approximately by road north of Sydney and north-west of Newcastle...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, where his father farmed. In 1840 the family moved on to New Zealand, living in Kororakea at first, then Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
where his father worked as a builder. From 1844 Thomas Russell was articled to the lawyer Thomas Outhwaite and on 4 November 1851 was admitted as a solicitor on the roll of the Supreme Court of New Zealand. On 18 July 1854 he married Emeline Vercoe, third daughter of Henry Vercoe JP and niece of Walter Lawrie, the general superintendant of the Wesleyan church in New Zealand.
Politics
Russell was elected as MP for Auckland City EastAuckland East
Auckland East was a New Zealand electorate, situated in the east of Auckland.-History:The Auckland East electorate was established for the 1860-1861 elections, when the Auckland electorate was split in half. It consisted of most of modern Auckland's central business district...
in 1861, holding the seat until his retirement from politics in 1866. He became a cabinet minister under Alfred Domett
Alfred Domett
Alfred Domett, CMG was an English colonial statesman and poet. He was New Zealand's fourth Premier.-Early life:He was born at Camberwell, Surrey; his father was a ship-owner...
in August 1862, and was Minister of Defence in the administration led by Frederick Whitaker
Frederick Whitaker
Sir Frederick Whitaker, KCMG was an English-born New Zealand politician who served twice as the fifth Premier of New Zealand and six times as Attorney-General.-Early life:...
and William Fox
William Fox (New Zealand)
Sir William Fox, KCMG was the second Premier of New Zealand on four occasions in the 19th century, while New Zealand was still a colony. He was known for his eventual support of Māori land rights, his contributions to the education system , and his work to increase New Zealand's autonomy from...
in 1863-4. During this time the New Zealand Settlements Act (1863) was passed, facilitating the confiscation of Māori-owned land.