Robert Russell (13 February 1808 – 10 April 1900) was an architect and surveyor, active in Australia. He conducted the first survey of the site of the nascent settlement of Melbourne on the banks of the Yarra River in 1836, and designed St James Old Cathedral, the oldest building remaining in central Melbourne (albeit not on its original site). He was also a prolific and talented artist and his work is held by major libraries and galleries in Australia. Early life Russell was born near Kennington Common, London, England, the son of Robert Russell, a merchant, and his wife Margaret, née Leslie. After a 'sound education', Russell 'had his first business experience' in Edinburgh in 1823 where he was articled to the architect and surveyor William Burn. After some time in London, where he worked in the office of John Nash, Russell moved to Drogheda, Ireland to work on the ordnance survey. This experience gave Russell 'a preference for surveying, as allowing greater leisure' and his 'curiosity about Australia led to his emigration'. The Sydney Herald of 23 September 1833, noted the arrival of 'the ship Sir John Rae Reid''' from 'London, and Hobart Town, on Tuesday last' and among the 'passengers from England' was 'Mr. Robert Russell, surveyor'. In possession of letters of introduction to Thomas Mitchell, then Surveyor General of New South Wales, Russell was employed by the Survey Department as an 'acting assistant' on 22 October 1833'. Survey of Melbourne In 1835 John Batman and John Pascoe Fawkner organised rival groups of free settlers from Van Diemen's Land (now called Tasmania) to cross Bass Strait and illegally settle on the site of what would become Melbourne. In response, the Imperial authority in London authorised William Lonsdale to lead a party to establish an official settlement the following year. As part of this Russell was appointed as Surveyor and assigned Frederick Robert D'Arcy and William Wedge Darke as assistants. They 'received orders to proceed to Port Phillip forthwith'. They arrived at Port Phillip on the Sterlingshire on 5 October 1836. Circumstances following their arrival led to group undertaking the survey of Melbourne which set out the inner city street grid as it is known today. Russell recalled that after disembarking from the Stirlingshire his 'party of three' commenced 'surveying the shores of Port Phillip Harbour' but this work was interrupted when: "On one occasion we found our horses