{"id":3273,"date":"2025-04-03T23:40:01","date_gmt":"2025-04-03T22:40:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edinburgh1.one\/?p=3273"},"modified":"2025-07-08T13:14:43","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T12:14:43","slug":"alexander-russel-a-pillar-of-edinburghs-press-elite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edinburgh1.one\/en\/eternal\/alexander-russel-a-pillar-of-edinburghs-press-elite-3273","title":{"rendered":"Alexander Russel: A Pillar of Edinburgh&#8217;s Press Elite"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Edinburgh is widely regarded as <strong>a city where everyone can realise their talent<\/strong>. To do so, however, one must be willing to work hard and, of course, possess a strong desire to succeed. What&#8217;s more, this isn&#8217;t just about finding a passion; it&#8217;s also about earning a living. In other words, <strong>self-realisation leads to a fulfilling career<\/strong>. Find out more at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/edinburgh1.one\/en\">edinburgh1.one<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6aa442af418b5\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6aa442af418b5\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/edinburgh1.one\/en\/eternal\/alexander-russel-a-pillar-of-edinburghs-press-elite-3273\/#Intellectual_Pursuits\" >Intellectual Pursuits<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/edinburgh1.one\/en\/eternal\/alexander-russel-a-pillar-of-edinburghs-press-elite-3273\/#Early_Life_and_a_Budding_Career\" >Early Life and a Budding Career<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/edinburgh1.one\/en\/eternal\/alexander-russel-a-pillar-of-edinburghs-press-elite-3273\/#Making_His_Mark_at_a_Great_Newspaper\" >Making His Mark at a Great Newspaper<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/edinburgh1.one\/en\/eternal\/alexander-russel-a-pillar-of-edinburghs-press-elite-3273\/#Acclaim_and_a_Declined_Honour\" >Acclaim and a Declined Honour<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/edinburgh1.one\/en\/eternal\/alexander-russel-a-pillar-of-edinburghs-press-elite-3273\/#Failing_Health_and_an_Untimely_Death\" >Failing Health and an Untimely Death<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Intellectual_Pursuits\"><\/span>Intellectual Pursuits<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout its history, Edinburgh has always offered excellent work opportunities. Thanks to its many crafts, manufactories, and factories, people could learn a trade that would provide them with a steady income. However, this wasn&#8217;t limited to artisans or those involved in physical labour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those whose primary tool was their intellect also had ample opportunity to establish themselves and make a name for themselves as <a href=\"https:\/\/edinburgh1.one\/en\/eternal\/thomas-annandale-the-edinburgh-scientist-with-a-lifelong-connection-to-india-3068\">professionals<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>One such individual was Alexander Russel<\/strong>, the editor of a prominent Scottish newspaper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Early_Life_and_a_Budding_Career\"><\/span>Early Life and a Budding Career<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Alexander was born in Edinburgh on 10 December 1814. His father, a lawyer, passed away at a young age, leaving the responsibility of raising the child entirely on his mother&#8217;s shoulders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After completing his schooling, Russel began to study editing. He greatly enjoyed the work, and it also seemed to be a very profitable venture. The young man proved to be a gifted student, and as a result, <strong>he was entrusted with editing <em>Tait&#8217;s Edinburgh Magazine<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1839, Alexander began his career as editor of the <em>Berwick Advertiser<\/em>. It must be said that Russel&#8217;s career progressed quite rapidly. The year 1842 was marked by his move to Cupar in Fife, where he edited the <em>Fife Herald<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Making_His_Mark_at_a_Great_Newspaper\"><\/span>Making His Mark at a Great Newspaper<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.edinburgh1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/59\/2025\/04\/ad_4nxe6r-ycggmvgcmowojiwjjoteohffgdily9gujxk4uwow4bovx6cenexy_gatpgkrpvauejnzygwe67xendjbiseupm1zh2nhqvkwq1bmzvszfp4mcu42wx-ccaqkrivmb_zp3q_akeyr-r_pnpm2qn7b8rr3zb9od3s.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Cupar became Alexander&#8217;s home for two years, after which the editor went on to work for a journal in Kilmarnock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, as is often the case, a professional&#8217;s work speaks for itself. So, when John Ritchie, the founder of Edinburgh&#8217;s newspaper <em>The Scotsman<\/em>, came across Alexander&#8217;s articles, he offered him the position of assistant to the editor, Charles Maclaren. In the spring of 1845, Russel began his new role, and by 1848, <strong>he became the sole editor of the newspaper<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In time, <strong>Russel&#8217;s journalism became the hallmark of <em>The Scotsman<\/em><\/strong>. His articles drew public attention to pressing issues, such as the poverty in the Highlands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore, it was during Russel&#8217;s tenure that <strong>the newspaper became a daily publication<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alexander&#8217;s role in the life of <em>The Scotsman<\/em> was truly significant. Even when the publication&#8217;s offices were relocated from the Royal Mile to Cockburn Street in 1860, he personally oversaw the entire process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Acclaim_and_a_Declined_Honour\"><\/span>Acclaim and a Declined Honour<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It is important to note that Russel&#8217;s output and his unique articles <strong>were recognised as a benchmark in journalism<\/strong>. As a specialist, he did not lack for attention or recognition. In 1870, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Moreover, the esteem in which Alexander was held was so high that in 1872, he was offered the chance to stand as a candidate for the Lord Rectorship of Aberdeen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, he declined the offer. It was, perhaps, a wise decision. While his journalistic skill had brought him great renown, he was not the most accomplished public speaker. Therefore, after a sober assessment of his own abilities, Russel turned down the tempting proposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Failing_Health_and_an_Untimely_Death\"><\/span>Failing Health and an Untimely Death<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, in that same year of 1872, Russel suffered a serious illness. It forced him to spend the entire winter away from home, in the south of France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From that point on, the famous editor&#8217;s health steadily declined. Inevitably, this impacted his overall quality of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.edinburgh1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/59\/2025\/04\/ad_4nxcsxp4mwhv_qyt6eyre0fnamqwren8vthtcurw238xytttj-_pipzcts-rzhgvub51oua8wuzxmt2zgtioa4xlxods_th7u_yebubxbigf7ru8yfrg2zygu4jhhhl6r_ipiqlgkkeyr-r_pnpm2qn7b8rr3zb9od3s.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>On 18 July 1876, Edinburgh was shaken by the sad news of Alexander Russel&#8217;s passing. The cause of his sudden death was <strong>angina pectoris<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout his many years of work, Russel achieved a great deal for the development of journalism in Edinburgh. Every piece he wrote was a model of professional artistry from a man who had truly found his calling. From his early start studying editing as a young man, Alexander made no missteps and faithfully followed his inner voice. Ultimately, he proved to be not just a capable student, but a unique individual blessed with talent and a distinctive style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alexander Russel&#8217;s gravestone is located in Edinburgh&#8217;s famous Dean Cemetery. Alongside the editor himself, his wife Jessie and their son, who tragically drowned at the age of nine, are laid to rest there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although many years have passed since Alexander Russel&#8217;s death, he is remembered not only within professional circles. The people of Edinburgh have not forgotten their talented native son. He is, quite rightly, regarded as one of the most <strong>brilliant journalists of the 19th century<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Edinburgh is widely regarded as a city where everyone can realise their talent. To do so, however, one must be willing to work hard and, of course, possess a strong desire to succeed. What&#8217;s more, this isn&#8217;t just about finding a passion; it&#8217;s also about earning a living. In other words, self-realisation leads to a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":459,"featured_media":2644,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1168],"tags":[2354,2231,2360,2357,2358,2355,2353,2352,2356,2359],"moimportance":[78,81],"motype":[1158],"moformat":[1376],"class_list":{"0":"post-3273","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-jobs","8":"tag-a-pillar-of-edinburghs-press-elite","9":"tag-alexander-russel","10":"tag-angina-pectoris","11":"tag-daily-publication","12":"tag-failing-health","13":"tag-intellectual-pursuits","14":"tag-press-elite","15":"tag-russel","16":"tag-sole-editor","17":"tag-untimely-death","18":"moimportance-golovna-novina","19":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatori","20":"motype-eternal","21":"moformat-c-l"},"modified_by":"Yevheniia Shevchenko","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3273","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/459"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3273"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3273\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3274,"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3273\/revisions\/3274"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2644"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3273"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3273"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3273"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=3273"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=3273"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=3273"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}