1918-19.] 
Obituary Notice. 
243 
OBITUARY NOTICE. 
Sir James Alexander Russell, Kt., M.A., M.B., F.R.C.P.E., B.Sc. in 
Public Health, LL.D., J.P., D.L. By Thomas R. Ronaldson, M.B., 
F.R.C.P.E. 
(MS. received May 19, 1919. Read June 2, 1919.) 
About fifty years ago the writer, then beginning his medical studies, paid 
his first visit to the dissecting-rooms of the Anatomical Department of 
the University of Edinburgh. The experience was trying, but curiously 
and greatly relieved by the sight of a tall, alert figure moving from group 
to group of students, the impression of activity and power being empha- 
sised by a pale face of arresting brightness and intelligence. Such was 
the writer’s introduction to Sir James A. Russell, then Junior Demonstrator 
of Anatomy under the late Sir William Turner, and the beginning of a 
valued friendship, ending only with his death. 
It is a matter of common observation that the country owes much 
to its manses, from which, with their plain living and high thinking, so 
often issue those who do yeoman service in their day and generation. 
Sir James was one of them. He was the eldest son of the Rev. A. F. 
Russell, Free Church minister of Kilmodan and South Hall, Argyllshire. 
He was, however, born on 6th April 1846 in Skye, at Glassellan House, 
the home of his maternal grandfather, Mr Munro. A few weeks after 
his birth his mother brought him to Glendaruel, and the old Inn of Tigh- 
mor-na-clach became their home until the following year, when the manse 
was ready for occupation. 
There, on the Kyles of Bute, — one of a band of brothers — his boyhood 
was spent, the strong physique was built up, and the seeds of mental 
and moral qualities were' planted which were so beneficently to bear 
fruit in after years. Yarn, spun by his nurse from the wool of Highland 
sheep to the accompaniment of Gaelic folk-song, and woven by the local 
weaver, was made into kilts by the tailor who came to the family from 
Skye at stated intervals for the purpose Education, secular and religious, 
was carried on at home and in the Stronafian F.C. School, where rumour 
has it that the excellent and energetic teacher took at times undue 
advantage of the native garb. Much of boyhood’s spare time was spent 
in boating and sea-fishing. In the later period of his home education he 
