Sir William Russell, 1st Baronet, of Chippenham (before 1585 – 1654), was an English politician who sat as MP for New Windsor.
[1][2] Williams was sworn a free brother of the East India Company on 20 October 1609, "having formerly bought Sir Francis Cherry's adventure",[1] and became a director on 5 July 1615.
In 1632 he was appointed a commissioner to inquire into frauds on the customs; on 11 January 1639 Sir Henry Vane was associated with him in the treasurership of the navy.
A man of considerable wealth, Russell frequently lent money to the government of Charles I.
Of these: Russell's third wife, again named Elizabeth, was the daughter and co-heiress of Michael Smallpage of Chichester, and widow of John Wheatley of Catsfield, Sussex, by whom he had two sons.