Addison Peale Russell (September 8, 1826 – July 24, 1912) was an American author of the later nineteenth century.[1] He is remembered mainly for his Sub-Coelum — "his best book...a Utopian protest against materialistic socialism."[2]
Russell was born in Ohio; his formal education ended with grammar school. At the age of sixteen he took a job as a printer for a newspaper; by nineteen he had worked his way up to editor and publisher of the Hillsboro, Ohio News. He pursued a journalism career until he switched to politics and public service. He was made clerk of the Ohio Senate in 1850; he later represented Clinton County, Ohio in the Ohio House of Representatives in the 52nd General Assembly (1856–57) as a Republican,[3] and was Ohio Secretary of State (1858–62). He was appointed Financial Agent for Ohio during the American Civil War, stationed in New York City.[4] He retired from public office in 1868 to pursue literature. He wrote seven books:
Apart from his biographical survey of Thomas Corwin, an Ohio governor, Russell's books generally fall into the category of belles-lettres.