Russell, John Scott (1808-1882)

British civil engineer and naval architect. He began his series of observations on waves in 1834, experimenting to ascertain the form of ships that will offer the least resistance and to test the possibility of utilizing steam navigation on the Edinburgh and Glasgow Canal. He built the Great Eastern and other ships.

Russell was born in Parkhead, near Glasgow, Scotland. He studied at Edinburgh, St Andrew's, and Glasgow universities, and in 1832 became professor of natural philosophy at Edinburgh University.