Colin A. Russell

Russell was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry on whose Council he served from 1999 to 2002 as well as serving as Chair to the Royal Society of Chemistry Historical Group. Professor Russell also served as President of the British Society for the History of Science (1986-1988).

Professor Russell was the recipient of the Dexter Award from the American Chemical Society ‘for outstanding contributions to the history of chemistry’ (1990) and of the David Mellor Medal from the University of New South Wales (1995).

In 1970 Russell founded the Department for the History of Science and Technology at the Open University. Russell remained at the Open University for the rest of his academic career.

Whilst teaching he also undertook further study. He received his MSc (1958) and PhD (1962) in the History and Philosophy of Science from the University of London. In 1978 he also received a DSc.

Born in London, Russell received his education at Epsom Grammar School before going to University College Hull (now the University of Hull). After receiving his BSc he became assistant lecturer in chemistry at the Kingston Technical College (1950–1959) and then lecturer, senior lecturer and principal lecturer in organic chemistry at Harris College, Preston (now the University of Central Lancashire).

Colin Archibald Russell ((1928-07-09)July 9, 1928 – (2013-05-17)May 17, 2013) was Emeritus Professor of History of Science and Technology at the Open University and was a research scholar affiliated to the History and Philosophy of Science Department, Cambridge University. His chief research interests were in the fields of the history of chemistry, environmental history and history of science and religion.