Russell, Francis Charles, 9th Duke of Bedford (1819 -1891)

Francis Charles Hastings Russell, born 16 October 1819, was the eldest son of George William Russell, second son of John, 6th Duke of Bedford, and Elizabeth Anne Rawdon, the only child of John Theophilus Rawdon, brother of the 1st Marquess of Hastings. Francis Russell, entered the Scots Fusilier Guards in 1838, but retired on his marriage, 18 January 1844, to Lady Elizabeth Sackville West, eldest daughter of the 5th Earl De La Warr and Mistress of the Robes to Queen Victoria from 1880 to 1883 and extra lady of the bedchamber 1883. He was Member of Parliament for Bedford 1847 1872, when he succeeded his cousin, William, as 9th Duke of Bedford. He followed the Prince of Wales as President of the Royal Agricultural Society, and carried out some useful experiments at Woburn on the efficacy of various systems of manuring fields. He was created a Knight of the Garter 1 December 1880. He died 14 January 1891, having shot himself while temporarily insane during a bout of pneumonia. He was succeeded by his eldest son and heir George William Francis Sackville 10th Duke of Bedford.

Seat / Residence(s): Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire
Stamp(s) Stamp Information
Title: Russell, Francis Charles, 9th Duke of Bedford (1819 - 1891) (Stamp 1)
Arms: A lion rampant on a chief three escallops
Order: Garter
Dimensions (height x width): 69mm x 46mm
Coronet: Duke
Heraldic Charges: chief on a, Heraldic Charges: escallops (3), Heraldic Charges: lion rampant