Francis Russell, 9th Duke of Bedford

Francis Russell, 9th Duke of Bedford lived in the 19th century England, a time long after the feudal system was abolished in England but his wealth derived from some other times. Wealth of the Russells originated when the former Cistercian abbey of Woburn in Bedfordshire was granted by Henry VIII (r. 1509-1547) to his courtier, John, Lord Russell, later the 1st Earl of Bedford. By the time of Francis Russell, the Russells were among the most powerful and wealthiest families in Britain and had been raised to a dukedom.

Francis Russell had a fortune of £11.067m what represented around 1.02% of a total net national income of £1.075bn.