History and Heritage

Born in 1892, Gordon Russell moved to Broadway when the family bought the Lygon Arms, which over the next 80 years became world famous.

He attended, along with his brother Don, Chipping Campden Grammer school, leaving aged 16, his father put him in charge of the small workshop repairing antique furniture purchased for the Inn. This led to an early interest in the design of the furniture, and prompted him to design some simple pieces for the Inn.

At the start of World War 1 Gordon Russell immediately enlisted in the Worcestershire Regiment - surviving the horrors of trench warfare and witnessing the surrounding devastation, he returned determined to make a contribution of value to future generations.

The workshops S B Russell & Sons was set up in the early 20's. At the start of the firm the furniture was essentially hand made, very much in the style of the Arts & Crafts and influenced by pioneers including Ernest Gimson and the Barnsleys.

The late twenties and thirties saw a move towards the use of machinery in order to reach a wide market for affordable furniture "Decent furniture for ordinary man".

During the period Gordon and the firm achieved widespread recognition for modern furniture of the highest quality.

In 1940 Gordon Russell was appointed Royal Designer for industry.

The outbreak of World War 11 saw him taking a national role. Gordon was appointed Chairman of the Utility furniture Design Panel - a role he relished.

In the immediate post war years he played a leading part in the major exhibitions of the time, including the ‘Britain Can Make It' exhibition and the Festival of Britain in 1951.

He was appointed Director of the Council of Industrial Design in 1947, which led him to become Director of the Design centre in London, which achieved international success in promoting British Design and manufacturing both nationally and world wide.

In 1955 he was knighted for his services to Design and Industry.

Retiring in 1959, he returned to his beloved home in the Cotswolds where he continued to build his home and garden, where his skills as a stone waller and stone carver are evident to this day.

A prolific writer throughout his life in the promotion of design, he published his autobiography "Designer's Trade" in 1968.

Throughout the years as chairman he maintained the closest interest in the firm he founded until his death in 1982.

He received many honours in recognition of his contribution to 20th century design including:
Master of the Art Workers' Guild
President of the Design and Industry Association
First honorary freeman of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers
Royal Society of Arts Albert Medal for services to Industrial Design
Honorary Doctorate of the Royal College of Art