In Memoriam – Richard Russell

Richard Russell, a Wynkyn de Worde Society member from 1987 to 2016, and Chairman in 1995, has recently died, at the age of 93. Richard’s brother Nicholas, a current member of the Society, has written about his brother for us.

’Richard started printing at school at Marlborough College, where he had the honour of showing the print shop to King George VI. During this time there he also produced a red and black copy of the litany, which he was able to get bound and sent to various cathedrals, including York Minster, though that copy was later stolen.

He was taken on as a trainee at the University Press, Oxford. After his training, he worked for Chromoworks London, and was much involved with the production of the famed Lyons Lithographs.

Richard then went to Balding + Mansell in Wisbech, here he dealt with major projects such as the printing of the Catalogue of books in the then British Museum Library, some 600-plus volumes. Then the University Press, Oxford called again, and he worked there in a variety of roles, working closely with Vivian Ridler, the Printer to the University. He was also in charge of the Press fire brigade. He stayed there until the printing division was closed, when he moved on to Stephen Austin in Hertford, dealing with security printing in a multitude of languages.

As well as being an involved member of the Wynkyn de Worde Society, he also found time to be a member of the Double Crown Club.’