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James Alexander Russell

Fellow

James Alexander Russell earned an MA from the University of Edinburgh in 1861, followed by MB CM degrees in 1868. He specialised in anatomy and served as Demonstrator until 1876. After unsuccessfully applying for the Chair of Anatomy at the University of St Andrews, he earned the first BSc in public health awarded by the University of Edinburgh in 1875. He later entered public life, being elected to Edinburgh Town Council in 1880, becoming a Bailie in 1885 and Lord Provost in 1891. During his civic career he promoted public health initiatives, including work relating to the fever hospital at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. He was knighted in 1894 and died in 1918.