The Russell Society

The Russell Society is Britain's leading society specialising in topographical mineralogy (the study and description of the mineralogy of a geographic region). It is named after the eminent amateur mineralogist Sir Arthur Edward Ian Montagu Russell (1878 - 1964) who is pictured left digging for pyromorphite on Bulmers's vein (after Sir Bevis Bulmer)in Leadhills, Lanarkshire, Scotland. The writing on the photograph is in Russell's characteristic hand that is seen on his specimen labels. For further information on Sir Arthur Russell click here or on the photograph.

The wide spectrum of Russell Society membership ranges from beginners to professional mineralogists and geologists. Currently nearly 500 members are spread throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. The Society is organised into seven regional branches that are distributed throughout the UK each having their own organising committee to arrange the programme of activities for the branch. Society members are assigned to the Branch covering their area although members are welcome to participate in the activities of any other Branch. The principal aims of the Society are the study, understanding, recording and conservation of minerals and mineralogical sites. The Society works closely with museums, conservation bodies, regulatory authorities and other similar organisations in the pursuit of these aims and to ensure that our mineral heritage is preserved for the future enhancement of our mineralogical knowledge. The Society also encourages responsible collecting and exploration and the proper reporting of important mineralogical discoveries. Information on membership is given on the right.

The Society was born out of an evening class on the 27th October 1972 when approximately thirty people, all from the area in and around Leicester, met to inaugurate the Russell Society. Early leadership and direction was provided by Dr Bob King of the Department of Geology, University of Leicester, who was President from 1973 - 1975 and he still takes a keen interest in Society activities today.

The tenth anniversary of the Society in 1982 was marked by the publication of a "Special Photographic Record" The publication of first Journal of the Russell Society was ten years later in 1982 which put Society on the map at national level, and the formation of other branches began. Download a copy of the booklet in PDF format here.

The twentieth anniversary in 1992 saw the establishment of "Russell Medal" as an international award for outstanding services to mineralogy. The medal is awarded on an occasional basis to individuals, judged by the Council of the Society, to have given outstanding service in the field of mineralogy. The first recipient of the medal was Dr. R.J. King and in the words of the President at the time, Dr. R.F. Symes " there really could be no finer recipient in the first year of this award." Bob King was a protegé of Sir Arthur Russell and the founder of the Russell Society.

2012 will be the 40th (corundum, variety ruby) anniversary of the Society and plans are already underway to mark the event. Instead of a booklet this time there will be a CD with photographs evoking nostalgic memories of the many aspects of the Russell Society with images of the people of the Society, collecting and collections, sites and supporters, mineral finds and losses, friends, fun and laughter. Something to look forward to.