THOMAS RUSSELL
(1767 - 1803) United Irishman, the 'Man from God Knows Where'
Born 21 Nov 1767, Betsborough, Kilshanick, Co. Cork

Although intended for the church, joined the British army in 1782. His regiment was stationed at Belfast in 1791 and he became friendly with Samuel Neilson, Henry Joy McCracken, and other radical politicians. About this time he was obliged to sell his commission, having gone bail for a swindler, and he became librarian of the Linen Hall Library. He then took an active part in the organising of the Society of United Irishmen, and in 1796 he was arrested with Neilson and others.