James Samuel Risien Russell
James Samuel Risien Russell was born in the modern-day Republic of Guyana. He would join the National Hospital in 1888, retiring in 1930. He would also be appointed UCL Professor of Clinical and Forensic Medicine. Although he was cited by contemporaries as noted as Hughlings Jackson for his research, Risien Russell remained an obscure figure for many years. Thanks to the work of the Windrush Foundation and others his contribution to Neurology has begun to gain more recognition.
In 2021 Risien Russell received a blue plaque at his home and workplace at 44 Wimpole Street in recognition of his contribution to Neurology. There is a UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology BAME Scholarship in memory of James Samuel Risien Russell. A new portrait of Risien Russell, was unveiled at the National Hospital in 2023.
Martin Kenig (grand nephew of Risien Russell’s daughter Marjory) has kindly provided some wonderful pictures which have now been digitised for Queen Square Archive. Selected images have been added to the website.
Key dates
- 1863- James Samuel Risien Russell born in Demerara/ modern day Republic of Guyana;
- 1882-1886 - Risien Russell studies medicine at University of Edinburgh;
- 1888- Risien Russell appointed resident medical officer at National Hospital;
- 1898- Risien Russell appointed Assistant Physician;
- c1900 Risien Russell appointed to UCL Professor of Clinical and Forensic Medicine;
- 1903- Risien Russell appointed to Board of Management of National Hospital. Will remain on the Board until 1928;
- 1914-1918 -Risien Russell served as a Captain in the Royal Army Medical Corp and treats soldiers who were admitted for functional symptoms to the National Hospital between 1914 and 1919;
- 1930 Risien Russell retires from National Hospital;
- 1939 -Death of Risien Russell;
Resources
*Queen Square Archives collection
*Queen Square Archives display and handout
*Edward J. Fine, Salomi Salins, Novreen Shahdad & Linda Lohr (2014) An English Neurologist, Neurophysiologist and Neuro-anatomist Who Discovered a Bundle in the
Brain Stem, Journal of the History of the Neurosciences, 23:4, 424-430.
*Sofia Zoidou & Lazaros C. Triarhou. James Samuel Risien Russell (1863–1939). Journal of Neurology (2022) 269:2262–2263.
*Critchley M (1990): James S. Risien Russell. In: The Ventricle of Memory. New York, Raven Press, pp. 173–181.
*J. S. Risien Russell M.D. F.R.C.P Obituary. March 24 1939. The British Medical Journal. Page 645
*Russell, J. S. Risien. Feb 19 1910. The Cerebelllum and its Afffections. The British Medical Journal. Page 425 - 430
*Walshe FMR, Taylor J. Obituary: Dr James Samuel Risien Russell. Lancet 1939-233: 790
*Royal College of Physicians
*Lives of the First World War
*English Heritage
* Dr Risien Russell: the silver dragon and beyond. Royal College of Physicians Commentary Magazine, April 2019. The author of this article is Dr John Henderson, whose wife is the granddaughter of Ada Clement, the second wife of Risien Russell.
*The Windrush Foundation
*UCLH website
*UCL website