Addison Peale Russell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 12th Ohio Secretary of State | |
| In office January 11, 1858 – January 13, 1862 | |
| Governor | Salmon P. Chase William Dennison |
| Preceded by | James H. Baker |
| Succeeded by | Benjamin R. Cowen |
| Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the Clinton County district | |
| In office January 7, 1856 – January 3, 1858 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas D. Austin |
| Succeeded by | David P. Quinn |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 8, 1826 Wilmington, Ohio |
| Died | July 24, 1912 (aged 85) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Occupation | author |
Addison Peale Russell (September 8, 1826 – July 24, 1912) was an American author of the later nineteenth century.[1] He is remembered mainly for his Sub-Coelum — "his best book...a Utopian protest against materialistic socialism."[2]
Russell was born in Ohio; his formal education ended with grammar school. At the age of sixteen he took a job as a printer for a newspaper; by nineteen he had worked his way up to editor and publisher of the Hillsboro, Ohio News. He pursued a journalism career until he switched to politics and public service. He was made clerk of the Ohio Senate in 1850; he later represented Clinton County, Ohio in the Ohio House of Representatives in the 52nd General Assembly (1856–57) as a Republican,[3] and was Ohio Secretary of State (1858–62). He was appointed Financial Agent for Ohio during the American Civil War, stationed in New York City.[4] He retired from public office in 1868 to pursue literature. He wrote seven books:
- Half Tints (1867)
- Library Notes (1875)
- Thomas Corwin (1882)
- Characteristics (1884)
- A Club of One (1887)
- In a Club Corner (1890)
- Sub-Coelum (1893).
Apart from his biographical survey of Thomas Corwin, an Ohio governor, Russell's books generally fall into the category of belles-lettres.