Edgar Hughes Deg Russell (24 October 1890 – 31 March 1963) was an Australian politician.

Edgar Russell
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Grey
In office
21 August 1943 – 31 March 1963
Preceded byOliver Badman
Succeeded byJack Mortimer
Personal details
Born(1890-10-24)24 October 1890
Booleroo Centre, South Australia
Died31 March 1963(1963-03-31) (aged 72)
Port Pirie, South Australia
Political partyAustralian Labor Party
OccupationBank clerk, accountant

Russell was born Edgar Hughes Degenhardt, to Carl August Degenhardt and Margaret "Maggie" Degenhardt, née Mackay, at Booleroo Centre. He was educated at public schools at Booleroo Centre and Port Germein. His family subsequently moved to Port Pirie, where his father was a four-time mayor of the City. He was a bank clerk and manager for the National Bank of Australia for twelve years in various towns before becoming a private accountant; he was also a certified local government auditor.[1][2] He changed his surname to Russell, reportedly under pressure from the bank.[3]

In 1943, he was elected to the Australian House of Representatives as the Labor member for Grey, defeating sitting United Australia Party member Oliver Badman. A long-term delegate to party conferences, he had defeated Australian Workers' Union nominee Charles Davis for Labor preselection. Though describing himself as a moderate, he won with the support of more militant unions.[4] Russell held the seat until his death in 1963.[1]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Carr, Adam (2008). "Australian Election Archive". Psephos, Adam Carr's Election Archive. Archived from the original on 17 July 2007. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  2. ^ "Labor Candidate for Rocky River". Recorder. No. 12, 120. South Australia. 12 February 1938. p. 3. Retrieved 10 July 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Bank Move May Not Be Winner For Labor Party". Daily Mercury. Vol. 81, no. 265. Queensland, Australia. 6 November 1947. p. 1. Retrieved 10 July 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "S.A.'s New Men At Canberra—No. 4". The News. Vol. 41, no. 6, 285. Adelaide. 20 September 1943. p. 3. Retrieved 10 July 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by Member for Grey
1943–1963
Succeeded by