Early life and education

William Russell was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to William and Rose Russell.^[1] He received his early education at the parochial school of St. Patrick's Parish in Baltimore.^[2] At age 14, he entered St. Charles College in Ellicott City, Maryland. Five years later, due to poor health, he returned to Baltimore to convalesce while attending Loyola College.^[2] After he recovered, Russell re-entered St. Charles, remaining there for four more years. He was then sent to Rome to study at the Pontifical North American College. However, bad health forced Russell again to return to Baltimore, where he continued his theological studies at St. Mary's Seminary.^[2][1]

Priesthood

On June 21, 1889, Russell was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Baltimore by Cardinal James Gibbons.^[3] After his ordination, Russell was assigned as pastor of St. James Parish in Hyattsville, Maryland.^[1] In addition to his pastoral duties, he studied at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., earning a Licentiate of Sacred Theology.^[2] He remained at St. James until 1894, when he became private secretary to Cardinal Gibbons and curate at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Baltimore

In 1908, Russell was named pastor of St. Patrick's Parish in Washington, D.C.^[1] He there earned a reputation as an eminent preacher. In 1909, he inaugurated the Pan-American Mass, an annual liturgical celebration held at St. Patrick's on Thanksgiving.^[2] Before being discontinued in 1914, the mass was attended by President William Howard Taft and representatives of 21 nations in the Americas.^[2] Russell was raised to the rank of domestic prelate by Pope Pius X in 1911, and named an honorary member of the Veterans of the Spanish War for his service as chaplain at Camp Chickamauga during the Spanish-American War.^[1] He published Maryland, the Land of Sanctuary in 1907, and authored the article on the Archdiocese of Baltimore in the Catholic Encyclopedia.^[1]

Bishop of Charleston

On December 7, 1916, Russell was appointed the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Charleston by Pope Benedict XV.^[3] He received his episcopal consecration on March 15, 1917, from Cardinal James Gibbons at Cathedral of the Assumption. Bishops John Monaghan and Owen Corrigan served as co-consecrators.^[3] He selected as his episcopal motto: Alias Oves Habeo (Latin: "I Have Other Sheep").^[4]

In addition to his episcopal duties, Russell served on the executive committee of the National Catholic War Council, and was head of the press department of the National Catholic Welfare Council.^[2] William Russell died on March 18, 1927, at age 63. His relative, John Russell, later served as bishop of Charleston.

Death

William Russell died on March 18, 1927, in Charleston.^[1]