Sir William Russell, 1st Baronet of Chippenham

Williams was born as the son of William Russell of Surrey and Joan Sanders. He attended the Greys Inn, a professional associations for barristers and judges in London before he entered the trade.

As a proficient trader, Russell was a prominent member of several of the great trading companies. He traded for many years in the Muscovy Company and visited Russia, but dissatisfied with its management he withdrew his capital and engaged in legal proceedings with the company. In 1612 he was named a director of the Company of the Merchants of London, and in 1609 he became a member of the East India Company and its director in 1615. He was also one of the promoters of the Persian Company, to which he subscribed £3,000.

During his lifetime Russell held the office of the treasurer ship of the navy from 1618 until 1627, and again from 1630. In 1632 he was named a commissioner to inquire into frauds on the customs. As an affluent man, Russel served as moneylender to the government of the king Charles I.

In 1630 he was created a baronet of Chippenham.

He died in 1654, and was buried at Chippenham, Cambridgeshire.