BY JOHN RUSSELL OF FALKIRK

John Russell (c. 1745-1817) began his career as a blacksmith, but through his originality went on to become one of the best known clock and watchmakers of his period. Based in Falkirk from about 1770, such was his prominence that he was appointed watchmaker to the Prince of Wales, later George IV. Russell's designs were not confined to just watches, but covered all mechanisms within the clocks and watches family, including barometers and thermometers. Russell is best know for his wheel barometers and the so-called 'royal' barometers. In most of his work the mahogany veneers are rich in colour, and few other barometers of the early 19th Century could match the level of accuracy of Russell's designers (see N. Goodison, English Barometers 1680-1860, London, 1977, pp. 228-236).