Richard Russell

Who was Richard Russell?

Student at the English College in Lisbon who later (1657) went with Francisco de Melo (or Mello) (Conde da Ponte) 1620-1667 to London when Mello became Portuguese Ambassador to Britain. In this rôle he helped arrange the marriage of Catherine of Braganza to Charles II. She later made him Bishop of Portalegre (1671) and Viseu (1682). Some believe that it was his diplomatic work that led the British to take control of India as Portuguese Bombay was given to Britain as part of the Dowry of Catherine.