Lot Essay
Sir (Sydney) Gordon Russell (d. 1980) was an English designer, craftsman and educationist. He came under the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement from 1904 after his father had moved to Broadway in the Cotswolds to be hotelier at the Lygon Arms.
Following service in World War I he became a furniture maker and designer. During World War II he developed utility furniture as chairman of the government's Utility Furniture Design Panel. In 1947 Gordon Russell became director of the Council of Industrial Design, later renamed the Design Council. He became the first chairman of the Crafts Council and was awarded a knighthood in 1955 for services to design.
Following service in World War I he became a furniture maker and designer. During World War II he developed utility furniture as chairman of the government's Utility Furniture Design Panel. In 1947 Gordon Russell became director of the Council of Industrial Design, later renamed the Design Council. He became the first chairman of the Crafts Council and was awarded a knighthood in 1955 for services to design.