Orford, Edward Russell, 1st earl of

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Orford, Edward Russell, 1st earl of (1652–1727). Russell was nephew of the 1st duke of Bedford, entered the navy in 1671, and saw much service in the second Anglo-Dutch war. Alienated from the court by the execution of his cousin Lord Russell, he signed the invitation to William of Orange in 1688 and landed with him at Brixham. He was promoted admiral in 1689 and gained the victory of La Hogue over the French in 1692. Though the victory was decisive, there was some disappointment that Russell's superiority of numbers had not told more emphatically. Russell commanded in the Mediterranean 1694–5 and in the Channel in 1696. The following year he was created earl of Orford. He served as 1st lord of the Admiralty 1694–9 and again 1709–10. He was impeached by the Tories in 1701 for involvement in the partition treaties but unanimously acquitted. Under George I, he resumed as 1st lord until 1717. He died without issue and in 1742 the title of Orford was revived for Sir Robert Walpole.

J. A. Cannon