Andrew Russell

Who was Andrew Russell?

Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Hamilton Russell was a British Army officer. He was appointed to the New Zealand Legislative Council from 1861 to 1872, and was Minister of Native Affairs from 1865 to 1866 in the Stafford Ministry.

Russell was commissioned into the 22nd Foot in 1828. He was promoted Lieutenant in 1834 and Captain in 1841. In 1842 he transferred to the 58th Foot. He served in New Zealand from 1845, being promoted Major in 1854 and retiring as a Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel in 1859. He then settled as a farmer on a Hawke's Bay sheep station.

His elder son, again named Andrew Hamilton Russell, was the father of Major-General Sir Andrew Hamilton Russell, who commanded the New Zealand Division during the First World War.

His younger son William Russell was a prominent politician and Leader of the Opposition.