Through his 'sea-water cure' Dr Richard Russell is widely regarded as being responsible for turning Brighton from a small fishing village to Britain's favourite seaside resort. He died 250 years ago this year, but his anniversary has been completely overlooked. This is his story.
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This presentation has been put together with original images by Gary Marlowe and based on
research undertaken online, at South Malling Church in Lewes and at the Brighton Museum library.
With very little information available anywhere I believe it’s as factually accurate as it’s possible to
be.
Despite my letter to the Brighton Argus, my follow-up conversation with one of their reporters
and even my Tweeting the article, it seems no one is interested in marking the 250th anniversary
of Richard’s death.
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That strikes me as a terrible shame as well as a huge missed opportunity for the City of Brighton.
I also believe, the least that should happen is that Brighton commission a statue in Richard’s
honour. After all, his monument is there for all to see!
✶2009✶
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Whilst undertaking research into this presentation, I noticed quite a few anomalies along the way.
On the frontispiece of his book in the Brighton Museum, for example, Richard Russell’s surname is
inaccurately spelled ‘Russel’, on his memorial plaque in South Malling Church his name is spelled
‘Ricard’ and on the plaque outside the Royal Albion Hotel it states he lived there from 1759, when
in fact he moved into Russell House five years earlier in 1754.
Perhaps most curious however was that he was buried in a vault beneath South Malling Church.
This was only discovered recently when the church floor was relaid a few years ago. The location
of the vault was in a completely different place to where it was thought to be. Inside were three
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upturned iron caskets, each containing a coffin. The caskets had been covered in material and
bore metal engravings. Today, there is no access to the vault.
And finally, despite considerable effort, I have not been able to find out why a goat features under
his memorial plaque. Like so much about this remarkable man, it remains a mystery.
✶2009✶