[1] Russell wrote the song "A Life on the Ocean Wave" and the tune to George Pope Morris's poem "Woodman, Spare that Tree" while living in the US from 1836 to 1841, before settling in London to produce musical extravaganzas until he retired in 1857.

The two men collaborated on a further two songs: "I Care Not For Spring on His Fickle Wing" from the Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club and the Christmas melody "The Ivy Green".

The Hutchinson Family Singers were fans of Russell's work and performed several of his tunes, including "The Maniac" and "The Ship on Fire."

He died at 18 Howley Place, Maida Vale, on 8 December 1900, and his remains are interred in Kensal Green Cemetery.

[2] A detailed biography, A Life on the Ocean Wave: The Story of Henry Russell by Andrew Lamb, was published by Fullers Wood Press in 2007.