Lee M. Russell

Lee M. Russell was an American Democratic party politician who served as governor of Mississippi from 1920 to 1924. Prior to this, he graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1901 and enrolled in the university’s law school. He completed the course in 1903 and launched a political career while practicing law. He later served in both the Mississippi House of Representatives and State Senate. During his time as a member of the state legislature he introduced a bill aimed at prohibiting secret and exclusive societies at the public institutions of higher learning, which was enacted into law. This law remained in effect for 14 years.

From 1916 to 1920 he served as lieutenant governor under Theodore G. Bilbo. Bilbo backed Russell as his handpicked successor, who then ran for the position of governor himself and won the general election without opposition.

In terms of social reform his time as governor was a progressive one. As noted by one historian, “Although Governor Russell was not as successful as previous governors in getting many of his major proposals enacted, the legislature's appropriations for educational and welfare purposes during his tenure set new records.” Higher state funding was provided for a TB sanitarium, an institution to house and treat mentally ill persons, charity hospitals (which included the approval of 3 new ones), and public schools and colleges. Constitutional amendments also provided for pensions for Confederate veterans or their widows, authorized a $2 poll tax on both men and women for education purposes, and a school year of at least 4 months. A number of labor laws were also introduced.

Russell re-established his law practice after stepping down from office.