William Huntington Russell
| William Huntington Russell | |
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William Huntington Russell, Co-Founder of Skull and Bones, Founder of Collegiate and Commercial Institute, New Haven, Connecticut; Connecticut Legislator (1846-7); Major General, Connecticut National Guard (1862–70)
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| Born |
August 12, 1809 Middletown, Connecticut |
| Died | May 19, 1885 (aged 75) New Haven, Connecticut |
| Cause of death | Aneurysm |
| Resting place |
Grove Street Cemetery 41°18′44.532″N 72°55′33.6″W / 41.31237000°N 72.926000°W |
| Nationality | American |
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| Known for | Co-founder of Yale secret society Skull & Bones |
| Spouse(s) | Mary E. Hubbard |
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| Parent(s) |
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| Relatives | Rev. Noadiah Russell |
William Huntington Russell (12 August 1809 – 19 May 1885) was an American businessman, educator, and politician. He was the founder of the Yale University secret society Skull and Bones. He was a descendant of several old New England families, including those of Pierpont, Hooker, Willett, Bingham, and Russell. His ancestor Rev. Noadiah Russell was a founder and original trustee of Yale College.
Born in Middletown, Connecticut, Russell was a cadet at the American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy (later Norwich University) from 1826 until graduation in 1828, where he was taught under strict military discipline. In 1828, William's father died, piling family responsibility on to him. Under severe financial restraints, he entered Yale College. He supported himself throughout his college years. In 1823 Samuel Russell, his cousin founded Russell & Co.
Russell had planned on entering the ministry, but his financial problems forced him to obtain an immediate income through teaching. In September 1836, he opened a private prep school for boys in a small dwelling house. The school would become known as the New Haven Collegiate and Commercial Institute. To begin with, the school was only attended by a small number of boys, but by the time of Russell's death the school had become well known and had graduated around 4,000 boys. In about 1840, Russell introduced a very thorough military drill and discipline into his school. He foresaw a Civil War in the future, and wanted to make sure his boys were prepared to fight for the Union. His students were so well schooled in military affairs that on the outbreak of Civil War some were enlisted as drill instructors.
He not only gave his students to the Union army, but also his own services. Governor William Alfred Buckingham realized that Russell was one of the most knowledgeable men in military affairs. For this reason, Russell was hired to organize the Connecticut militia. He was later made a major-general by act of the legislature.
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