Sketch of Lord Russell MP, Receiving the Freedom of the City

Artist Edward William Cooke (London, England, 1811 - 1880)

Associated Lord John Russell, 1st Earl Russell (London, England, 1782 - 1878)

Date1859

Mediumpencil on paper

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsOverall: Height: 12.9 cm, Width: 16.7 cm
Frame: Height: 23.9 cm, Width: 27.6 cm

AcquisitionAlexander Macdonald Bequest, 1901.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG003257

Keywords

About MeAberdeen's Freedom ceremony has its origins in the 12th century. There have been 38 Freedom ceremonies in Aberdeen since the start of the 20th Century. At one time recipients were required to own arms and be prepared to use them in defence of the city.

Lord John Russell (1782-1878) served twice as Prime Minister and in 1859, when he was awarded the Freedom of the City, was foreign secretary in Lord Palmerston's government. He was known as a reforming, liberal politician who throughout his political career championed the causes of the poor and disadvantaged. At the age of fourteen he wrote in his diary, "What a pity that he who steals a penny loaf should be hung, whilst he who steals thousands of the public money should be acquitted." Lord Russell was instrumental in the campaign for Catholic Emancipation and the legalisation of the marriage of dissenters in their own chapels. He also supported factory reform which resulted in the passing of the 1847 Factory Act and the following year he managed to persuade parliament to accept his government's Public Health Act that gave municipalities powers to set up local boards of health.

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Russell, twice Prime Minister, was a reforming liberal politician, champion of the poor and disadvantaged