Russell, Hon. Frederick William (1923-2001)

Lieutenant Governor, 1991-1997

Russell was born on September 10, 1923 in St. John's. He was educated at Holloway School and Prince of Wales College before studying at Dalhousie University and the Atlantic School for Advanced Business Administration in Halifax. Following his service as a fighter pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II, Russell played a prominent role in Newfoundland's business and community life. He joined Blue Peter Steamships and quickly rose to become the company's president. He later headed other companies involved in shipping, automobiles - he served as Terra Nova Motor's president and insurance. He also served on the boards of several national business concerns and, in 1953, was appointed to the first provincial Labour Relations Board. In 1987, he was named to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). Within the community, Russell has served on educational boards like the United Church School Board and Memorial University's Board of Regents - he was its chairman from 1974 until his retirement in 1982 while founding an air cadets movement in the province. From 1952 to 1959, Russell served as aide-de-camp to the governor general of Canada, and, from 1954 to 1962, filled the same post for the lieutenant governor of Newfoundland. He has also been awarded an honourary degree from Memorial University and was appointed to the Order of Canada in 1979.

In 1991, Russell became the lieutenant governor for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. He held the post until 1997. He died on June 20, 2001.

Previous Governor | Next Governor