Francis Russell, 7th Duke of Bedford

Francis Russell, 7th Duke of Bedford KG, PC (13 May 1788 – 14 May 1861), styled Marquess of Tavistock from 1802 to 1839, was a British peer and Whig politician.
Background and education
He was the son of John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford and his first wife the Hon. Georgiana Byng, second daughter of George Byng, 4th Viscount Torrington. Russell was educated at Westminster School and graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge in 1808, with a Master of Arts. He succeeded his father as duke in 1839.
Career
He entered the British House of Commons in 1809, sitting as Member of Parliament for Peterborough in the next three years. Subsequently Russell represented Bedfordshire until 1832. In the following year, he was summoned to the House of Lords in his father's junior title Baron Howland of Streatham by a writ of acceleration. Russell was sworn of the Privy Council on 6 July 1846 and was invested as a Knight of the Order of the Garter on...