Bertrand's Brother: The Marriages, Morals and Misdemeanours of Frank, 2nd Earl Russell

Frank Russell was a radical political reformer and outspoken moralist, the black sheep of his illustrious family. He was a serial adulterer and was tried for bigamy in the House of Lords. His accuser was his first wife, Mabel Edith, who forced him to defend his good name and honor. Their decade-long cause célèbre rivalled that of Oscar Wilde. This biography explores his innate rebelliousness and sense of injustice, producing a portrait of a man vulnerable yet hubristic, well-meaning yet often offensive.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 15 April 2021
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

Frank Russell, the grandson of Prime Minister Lord John Russell and the elder brother of philosopher and political activist Bertrand Russell, was a remarkable figure in his own right. He was a radical political reformer and an outspoken moralist who dared to challenge the status quo. Despite his illustrious background, Russell was often considered the black sheep of his family. He was a serial adulterer who faced charges of bigamy in the House of Lords. As a young man, he was expelled from Oxford for alleged homosexual practices, which were widely condemned at the time. His accuser was his first wife, Mabel Edith, the naive daughter of socialite and "adventuress" Lady Selina Scott. Lady Selina Scott relentlessly forced Russell to defend his good name and honor in public, even though male same-sex relationships were reviled and sodomy was punishable by up to ten years of penal servitude. Their decade-long cause célèbre rivaled the infamous misdemeanors of Oscar Wilde and was reported alongside them in the media.

In this first biography of Frank Russell, the author has extensively relied on private papers and contemporary public accounts to tell his story. The book explores the cultural tensions and moral prejudices of the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, shedding light on Frank's innate rebelliousness and deep-seated sense of injustice. Through this exploration, the author paints a portrait of a man who is both vulnerable and hubristic, well-meaning yet often offensive. Russell is portrayed as a free-thinker, an aristocrat who expanded the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in his time.

Despite his controversial reputation, Frank Russell remains a fascinating figure in history. His life and experiences offer a unique perspective on the social and political climate of his era, and his ideas and writings continue to inspire and influence thinkers today. This biography provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of Russell and his legacy.

Weight: 726g
Dimension: 168 x 244 x 40 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398102835