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Richard Brevard Russell Jr. (November 2, 1897 – January 21, 1971) was an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 66th Governor of Georgia from 1931 to 1933 before serving in the United States Senate for almost 40 years, from 1933 to 1971.
Richard B. Russell of Georgia served in the U.S. Senate for almost 40 years (1932–1971). During World War II Russell led a congressional delegation that traveled extensively to investigate the quality and effectiveness of war materiel under combat conditions.
- Early Life
- Early Political Career
- U.S. Senate
- Civil Rights
- Military Affairs
- Leadership
- Russell’s Legacy
Richard Brevard Russell Jr. was born in Winder on November 2, 1897, to Richard B. Russell Sr., a lawyer, state legislator, businessman, and judge, and Ina Dillard Russell, a teacher. He was the fourth child, and first son, of what became a family of thirteen children. Russell was related to Marietta’s Brumby familythrough his paternal grandmother, ...
After practicing law for more than a year, Russell was elected in 1920 to the Georgia House of Representatives, becoming at age twenty-three one of the youngest members of that body. He received appointments to various committees and, building on friendships from his school days, advanced quickly in the political arena. He was elected Speaker pro t...
Russell entered the U.S. Senate in 1933 as the youngest member and a strong supporter of U.S. presidential candidate Franklin D. Roosevelt. Seeing the New York governor as the leader who could end the Great Depression, Russell had detoured from his own campaign to attend the Democratic National Convention and to make a seconding speech for Roosevel...
Russell began contesting civil rights legislation as early as 1935, when an antilynching bill was introduced in Congress. By 1938 he led the Southern Bloc in resisting such federal legislation based on the unconstitutionality of its provisions. The Southern Bloc argued that these provisions were infringements on states’ rights. By continually block...
During World War II Russell led a special committee of five senators around the world to visit the war theaters and to report on the status of American troops. He expanded his views on national defense during this time to include strategic international bases for ensuring security and maintaining world stability. At the same time he did not abandon...
Pursued by colleagues to accept the Senate majority leadership, Russell steadfastly refused because he wanted “absolute independence of thought and action.” Instead, he promoted his young protégé Lyndon Johnson, who became the majority whip and, later, the majority leader. This was the beginning of Johnson’s rise to power, and he would not have suc...
Russell devoted his life to public service. His love of the Senate and its traditions was most evident in his own example of conduct and leadership. Russell earned the respect and admiration of his most ardent opponents for his integrity, intellect, modesty, and fairness. Although he never married, Russell dated regularly over the years. In 1938 hi...
As a legislator, Russell sought to build new roadways, improve public education, reduce the influence of special interests, and operate government in a fiscally conservative manner. In 1930, voters elected him, at age 30, Georgia’s youngest governor in the twentieth century.
Georgia’s senior senator was a powerful authority on military and defense policy, and a fierce opponent of all civil rights legislation. During the Cold War, Russell served as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He secured funding for 15 military installations in Georgia.
Aug 27, 2018 · Sen. Richard Russell, whose name is on the building, represented Georgia in the Senate for nearly four decades. Russell's legislative accomplishments were many, but his legacy has a...
Feb 1, 1971 · Young Richard was elected a state legislator at 23, speaker of the Georgia house at 29, Governor at 33. Two years later, he became the youngest member of the U.S. Senate. Dove to Hawk. At...
