Benjamin Russell (journalist)


Benjamin Russell was an American journalist, born in Boston.

Early life

Benjamin Russell was born on 13 September 1761, son of John Russell, a stonemason. He was educated in the public school in Boston, and as a youth often visited the printing offices of Isaiah Thomas, a newspaper owner with whom he apprenticed in Worcester, Massachusetts. Russel would also join Thomas later in life as a founding member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1812.

Military service

When the Declaration of Independence was received in Worcester, Russell attempted to enlist in the Continental Army but was refused because he was a minor. Later, in 1780 he was enlisted in the Revolutionary army, taking the place of his employer, Isaiah Thomas, who had received a draft notice. Benjamin's Rev. War Pension Application states, in his own handwriting, that he served as a private. He was never an officer.
While in the army Russell was present at the execution of British spy, Major John André who had been working with American General Benedict Arnold to capture the key base at West Point, New York. Russell was a member of the guard who escorted Andre to his place of execution

Early career

After the war he began the publication of a semiweekly journal, the Columbian Centinel which commenced publication on 24 March 1784. This paper he controlled for 40 years and, assisted by Fisher Ames, Timothy Pickering, John Lowell, Stephen Higginson, and George Cabot as contributors, made it one of the most influential organs of the Federalist party.
Russell and William Warden first published the Massachusetts Centinel beginning in 1784. In 1785 Ben became the sole publisher and changed the name to the Columbian Centinel. Staff included Samuel Gilbert and Thomas Dean.

Political office

Russell coined the expression "Era of Good Feeling" on the occasion of President Monroe's visit to Boston in 1817.
He was one of the aldermen of Boston, was a representative to the General Court, State Senator for a number of years, was one of the Governor's Council, and in 1820 was a member of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention.

Late career

He resigned as editor of the Centinel in 1828, but until 1830 continued to edit the Boston Gazette, which he had established in 1795. Russell died on 4 January 1845 at age 84.