Letters of Rachel Russell: from the Manuscript in the Library at Woburn Abey. To Which is Prefixed an Introduction, Vindicating the Character of Lord Russell Against Sir John Dalrymple, &c. The Fifth Edition, Corrected and Enlarged. To This Edition is Added, (Not in the London Edition) the Trial of Lord William Russell, for High Treason, Extracted from the State Trials at Large.

Lady Russell (1636-1723), born Rachel Wriothesley (1636-1723) was an English noblewoman and heiress. Her father was Thomas Wriothesley, 4th Earl of Southampton. Her first husband was Francis Vaughan, Lord Vaughan, the eldest son of Richard Vaughan, 2nd Earl of Carbery. Both died in 1667, and she and her older sister inherited her father's considerable estate upon his death. In 1669, she married William, Lord Russell, who was three years her junior. It was a happy marriage, with her father appreciating his wife's intelligence, virtue, and affection. In 1683, Lord Russell was involved in the Rye House Plot to ambushed King Charles II and his brother, James, Duke of York, on their way back to London from the Newmarket races. He was sent to the Tower of London and convicted of treason. Lady Russell, who acted as his secretary during his trial, worked diligently to save his life, but the king was unmoved, and Russell was beheaded in Lincoln's Inn Fields. Twelvemo. [8], lxxiv, 238, 74 pp. Contemporary calf, gilt spine with red morocco label. Binding extremities a bit rubbed, small crack along back joint. A very good, tight copy. First Irish edition, with added material. Lady Russell was an avid letter writer throughout her life. These letters were first published in 1773. They were admired for being very well written, and for giving a glimpse into seventeenth-century domestic life. Lady Russell also write diaries, essays, a catechism and Instructions for Children. (See Oxford DNB.). …