William Russell, 8th Duke of Bedford

William Russell, 8th Duke of Bedford (1 July 1809 – 27 May 1872) styled Marquess of Tavistock from 1839 to 1861, was a British Whig politician. He was the son of Francis Russell, 7th Duke of Bedford and his wife Anna Maria Stanhope.

His Grace The Duke of Bedford
Arms of the Duke of Bedford
Tenure	14 May 1861 – 27 May 1872
Predecessor	Francis Russell, 7th Duke of Bedford
Successor	Francis Russell, 9th Duke of Bedford
Other titles	8th Marquess of Tavistock 12th Earl of Bedford 12th Baron Russell 10th Baron Russell of Thornhaugh 8th Baron Howland
Born	(1809-07-01)1 July 1809
Died	27 May 1872(1872-05-27) (aged 62)
Parents	Francis Russell, 7th Duke of Bedford Lady Anna Stanhope

Portrait of Lord Russell as a child

Russell was educated at Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford and was member of parliament (MP) for Tavistock (which had been represented by members of the Russell family intermittently since 1640) from 1832 to 1841.^[1]

He died in 1872, aged 62, unmarried and childless and was buried in the 'Bedford Chapel' at St. Michael's Church, Chenies, Buckinghamshire. His titles passed to his cousin, Francis Hastings Russell, 9th Duke of Bedford.