Francis Russell, Marquess of Tavistock (27 September 1739 – 22 March 1767) was a British politician and heir apparent to the dukedom of Bedford until his death in 1767.

He was the eldest son of the John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford and, his second wife, Lady Gertrude Leveson-Gower.

His maternal grandparents were John Leveson-Gower, 1st Earl Gower and the former Lady Evelyn Pierrepont (eldest daughter of the 1st Duke of Kingston-upon-Hull).

His parents suspected that this only meant that he was developing a taste for low company, but he denied this indignantly.

[4][5] He was elected as a Bailiff to the board of the Bedford Level Corporation in 1761, a position he held until his death.