John Russell Biography and Timeline

Memoirs of Affairs of Europe

Publication of "Memoirs of Affairs of Europe"

Paymaster General

Appointed Paymaster General in Lord Grey's government.

Role range: 1830-1834 – 1830-1834

Reform of Parliament

Introduces the 3rd Reform Bill to the Commons

Role range: 1830-1834

Election

1st Reform Bill is rejected by the Commons, this leads to an election

Role range: 1830-1834 – 1830-1834

Reform of Parliament

Introduces the 1st Reform Bill to the Commons. 1st Reform Bill is rejected by the Commons, this leads to an election

Role range: 1830-1834 – 1830-1834

Reform of Parliament

Steers 1st Reform Bill through the House of Commons but is defeated in committee

Role range: 1830-1834 – 1830-1834

Reform of Parliament

Reform Bill, 3rd, 1 of the 4 framers of the Bill which passes through the Commons

Role range: 1830-1834 – 1830-1834

Reform of Parliament

Reform Bill, 3rd, passes through the Lords, 12 Bishops for & 16 against

Role range: 1830-1834 – 1830-1834

Reform of Parliament

Reform Bill, 3rd, a Lords amendment seeks to safeguard pocket boroughs

Role range: 1830-1834 – 1830-1834

Great Reform Act Legislative Debates

Russell was a leading ministerial advocate of the Reform Bill, and parliamentary reporting documents the arguments preceding royal assent.

Party Leader

Appointed Leader of the Whigs in the House of Commons

Role range: 1834-1834

Home Secretary of Great Britain

Appointed Home Secretary

Role range: 1835-1841 – 1835-1839

Commons Reporters Receive Gallery Places

The Commons made accommodation available to parliamentary reporters in its galleries, helping regularise the reporting of debates.

Lower Canada Finance Measures

Deepens political conflict between Lower Canadas assembly and imperial authorities.

Russell Resolutions

Introduces resolutions authorizing colonial revenues without assembly approval.

Government Addresses Apprenticeship Termination

The British government faced continued parliamentary and public pressure to end compulsory apprenticeship before its originally projected expiry.

Chartist Petition and Representation

Political petitions and calls for franchise reform emerged in parliamentary discussion as the Chartist movement gathered momentum.

Secretary of State for War and the Colonies

Appointed Secretary for War & the Colonies

Role range: 1835-1841 – 1839-1841

Reform of City Privileges

Publishes a "letter to the electors of the City of London"

Role range: 1841-1846

Battle of Mukdi

Commencement of the Sikh War, 1st, the Sikhs are defeated

Role range: 1845-1846 – 1846-1852

Rule of India

Under the Treaty of Lahore Britain gains territory beyond the Sutlej River

Role range: 1845-1846 – 1846-1852

Treaty of Lahore

Under the Treaty of Lahore Britain gains territory beyond the Sutlej River. The Treaty of Lahore ends the 1st Sikh War

Role range: 1845-1846 – 1846-1852

Treaty of Surrender

Nearly half of the Sikh Kingdom is taken over by the British

Role range: 1845-1846 – 1846-1852

Election

Russell stays in office, the Conservatives are divided over protection

Role range: 1846-1852 – 1846-1852

Government

Victoria asks Russell to govern but he is unable to form a cabinet, Peel returns

Role range: 1846-1852 – 1846-1852

Prime Minister of Great Britain

Appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain, 1st term

Role range: 1846-1852 – 1846-1852

Resignation of Robert Peel

Peel resigns

Role range: 1846-1852 – 1846-1852

Battle of Aliwal

The Sikhs are defeated

Role range: 1845-1846 – 1846-1852

Battle of Buddowal

The Sikhs are defeated

Role range: 1845-1846 – 1846-1852

Battle of Sabraon

The Sikhs are defeated

Role range: 1845-1846 – 1846-1852

Bank Charter Suspension

The Government authorises temporary suspension of the note-issue limit during a financial panic.

Role range: 1846-1852

Result of Surrender of Sikh Forces

The Sikh military position collapses, enabling British authority to be imposed more fully in the Punjab.

Role range: 1845-1846 – 1846-1852

Surrender of Sikh Forces

The Sikhs lay down their arms

Role range: 1845-1846 – 1846-1852

Capture of Punjab

The British capture the Punjab

Role range: 1845-1846 – 1846-1852

Navigation Acts Repeal

Parliament repeals the Navigation Acts and expands competition in maritime trade.

Role range: 1846-1852

Navigation Acts Repeal Proceedings

Parliament addressed repeal of key Navigation Acts, expanding the reach of free trade in British shipping and commerce.

Reform of Government

Provides for the confiscation of emblems & arms of rival Orange & Catholic parties

Role range: 1846-1852 – 1846-1852

Calls Pius IXs brief to establish a Catholic hierarchy in England &

Calls Pius IXs brief to establish a Catholic hierarchy in England & Wales "insolent"

Role range: 1846-1852 – 1846-1852

France, Britain & Russia sign a protocol recognizing Danish rule in Schleswig

France, Britain & Russia sign a protocol recognizing Danish rule in Schleswig. France, Britain & Russia sign a protocol recognizing Danish rule in Holstein

Role range: 1846-1852

Reform of Church Governance

Ecclesiastical Titles Bill, prohibits Catholic clergy from assuming territorial titles

Role range: 1846-1852 – 1846-1852