Russell, Charles M. (Charles Marion), 1864-1926

Variant names

Hide Profile

American cowboy and artist of the American West.

From the description of Photographs, {ca. 1910}. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 145435693

American painter and sculptor of western scenes and subjects.

From the description of Ephemera, 1900-1964. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122497326

From the guide to the Charles M. Russell ephemera, 1900-1964, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

Russell, Charles Marion, artist, cowboy (Mar. 19, 1864-Oct. 24, 1926). Born at St. Louis, he was related to the Bents of fur trade fame. He made his first trip west in 1880, the same year Remington toured the wild country. Russell visited Helena and the Judith Basin, 200 miles distant, stopping briefly at a sheep ranch, then joined up with Jake Hoover, a back country prospector and hunter. He stayed with Hoover two years, roaming the wilderness and observing, learning and remembering. He returned to St. Louis in 1882, but came back to Montana in March, obtaining a job as a night-hawk in April for the 12 Z & V ranch. He took part in the 1882 Judith roundup, one of the biggest in Montana until that time, eventually becoming a full-fledged cowboy. Indians, Blackfeet mostly, roamed the country and Russell came to know them, seeing too the last of the buffalo and other integral components of the harsh northern wilderness.

From the description of Photographs, ca. 1880-1926. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 80530623

Charles Marion Russell was an artist and cowboy in Montana. He was borin in 1864 and died in 1926. He produced more than 2,600 pieces of preserved art work in all.

From the description of Charles Marion Russell collection, ca. 1864-1926. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 368015001

Artist of the American West.

From the description of Letters, 1913-ca. 1920. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 145435937

Charles Russell was an artist, writer, and environmentalist. He was an advocate for the Plains Indians and lived most of his life in Montana.

From the description of Charles M. Russell's genuine portrayals of the old west by the greatest western artist, scrapbook 1905-1930 bulk 1925-1930. (Cornell University Library). WorldCat record id: 67615594

American cowboy, author, and artist of the American West.

From the description of Papers, 1904-1971. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122622734

From the guide to the Charles M. Russell papers, 1904-1971, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

Painter, sculptor, illustrator and writer; Great Falls, Montana.

From the description of Charles M. Russell letters, 1902-1926. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122552943

Charles M. Russell (1864-1926) was a cowboy and artist in Montana.

From the description of Charles M. Russell papers, circa 1880s-1920s. (Brigham Young University). WorldCat record id: 228078868

Charles Marion Russell (1862-1926) was a cowboy known for his drawings.

Russell, Charles Marion, artist, cowboy (Mar. 19, 1864-Oct. 24, 1926). Born at St. Louis, he was related to the Bents of fur trade fame. He made his first trip west in 1880, the same year Remington toured the wild country. Russell visited Helena and the Judith Basin, 200 miles distant, stopping briefly at a sheep ranch, then joined up with Jake Hoover, a back country prospector and hunter. He stayed with Hoover two years, roaming the wilderness and observing, learning and remembering. He returned to St. Louis in 1882, but came back to Montana in March, obtaining a job as a night-hawk in April for the 12 Z & V ranch. He took part in the 1882 Judith roundup, one of the biggest in Montana until that time, eventually becoming a full-fledged cowboy. Indians, Blackfeet mostly, roamed the country and Russell came to know them, seeing too the last of the buffalo and other integral components of the harsh northern wilderness.

Russell, Charles Marion, artist, cowboy (Mar. 19, 1864-Oct. 24, 1926). Born at St. Louis, he was related to the Bents of fur trade fame. He made his first trip west in 1880, the same year Remington toured the wild country. Russell visited Helena and the Judith Basin, 200 miles distant, stopping briefly at a sheep ranch, then joined up with Jake Hoover, a back country prospector and hunter. He stayed with Hoover two years, roaming the wilderness and observing, learning and remembering. He returned to St. Louis in 1882, but came back to Montana in March, obtaining a job as a night-hawk in April for the 12 Z & V ranch. He took part in the 1882 Judith roundup, one of the biggest in Montana until that time, eventually becoming a full-fledged cowboy. Indians, Blackfeet mostly, roamed the country and Russell came to know them, seeing too the last of the buffalo and other integral components of the harsh northern wilderness.

He established a small place of his own in Pigeye Gulch, out of Utica. For about 11 years he drifted as a cowboy, hunter, and keen-eyed observor through the cow-and-Indian country, becoming locally famed as an artist of sorts, in watercolors and clay modeling. The summer of 1886 was very dry, the following winter a disastrous time with blizzards following one another, all but destroying the range industry. Russell worked with Jesse Phelps that winter. When the owner in Helena asked in early spring for a report on his stock, Charles sent his famous sketch of the lone steer surrounded by coyotes, with the legend, "Waiting for a Chinook." Someone added the line, "Last of the 5,000," and Russell's reputation was assured. The tiny picture has been preserved and is owned by the Historical Society of Montana at Helena. Russell wintered with the Bloods of Canada in 1888-89, then returned to Montana with a wagon freighting outfit. Harper's Weekly had published his "Caught in the Act" in 1888, and Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper on May 18, 1889, printed a full page of his drawings. A portfolio came out in 1890, and an article about him appeared in New York in 1891. His fame grew steadily from then forward, although for years his pictures were traded for drinks, given to friends, or sold for pittances. Some of them were ribald, but all were good-natured, filled with enthusiasm and life and zest.

He married Nancy Cooper of Kentucky, 14 years his junior, September 9, 1896, and the following year moved from Cascade to Great Falls, where he established the studio where he would work the remainder of his life. Nancy quickly came to appreciate his unique talent. She persuaded him to reduce his drinking and by 1908 to end it, and with a sharp eye quickly caused him to place more value upon his work. After two trips to New York he was established as a major artist, if unique and specialized, and he held his first one-man show on Fifth Avenue in 1911. By 1920 he had reached the peak. He produced more than 2,600 pieces of preserved art work in all. His first Rawhide Rawlins book was published in 1921.

He died of a heart attack following a goiter operation, and his body was conveyed to the cemetery in a hearse drawn by two black horses, as he had wished, driven by Ed Vance, an old-time stagecoach driver. Will Rogers remarked, "He wasn't just 'Another Artist.' He wasn't 'just another' anything...." [This biographical sketch taken from Dan L. Thrapp, Encyclopedia of Frontier Biography, Spokane, Washington: The Arthur H. Clark Company, 1990, Vol. 3, p. 1250.] Other brief biographical sketches are available in The McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of World Biography, New York: McGraw Hill, 1973, and in Howard R. Lamar, ed., The Reader's Encyclopedia of the American West, New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1977, p. 1052. The latter includes a partial list of holders of major collections of Russell's art work. Useful books about Russell include the following: Ramon F. Adams and Homer E. Britzman, Charles M. Russell, the Cowboy Artist: a Biography (1948); Harold McCracken, The Charles M. Russell Book (1957); Paul Rossi and David C. Hunt, The Art of the Old West (1971); and Karl Yost and Frederic G. Renner, compilers, A Bibliography of the Published Works of Charles M. Russell (1971).

From the guide to the Charles M. Russell photograph collection, 1864-1926, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Macbeth Gallery records Archives of American Art
referencedIn Albert Duveen art reference files Archives of American Art
referencedIn Palen, J. S. (Joseph S.), 1912-1996. J.S. Palen collection, ca. 1863-1998. Univerisity of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
referencedIn Renner, Frederic Gordon, 1897-. Frederic G. Renner and Ginger K. Renner lectures, 1974 Sept. 7. Montana Historical Society Library
referencedIn De Yong, Joe, b. 1894. Joe De Yong / Richard J. Flood collection, circa 1860-1975 (bulk 1910-1940). National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
creatorOf Russell, Charles M. (Charles Marion), 1864-1926. Artist file. Brooklyn Museum Libraries & Archives
referencedIn Morgan, Robert F., 1929-. Robert F. Morgan lecture, 1974 Jan. 7. Montana Historical Society Library
referencedIn Cristy, Raphael,. Charles Marion Russell collection, 1986 Mar. Montana Historical Society Library
creatorOf Russell, Charles M. (Charles Marion), 1864-1926. C.M. Russell prints, undated. State Historical Society of North Dakota State Archives
referencedIn Russell, Charles Marion, 1864-1926 : [miscellaneous ephemeral material]. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thomas J. Watson Library
referencedIn Nancy Cooper Russell papers, 1926-1970 L. Tom Perry Special Collections
referencedIn Wallis Huidekoper Collection, 1880s-1959 MSU-Bozeman Library, Merrill G Burlingame Special Collections
referencedIn Russell, Charles M. : Biographical file. Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
referencedIn Leggat, Alexander, 1876-1961. Alexander Leggat collection, 1864-1964. Montana State University (Bozeman, Mont.). Library
referencedIn Lee M. Ford papers, 1878-1977 Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
creatorOf Russell, Charles M. (Charles Marion), 1864-1926. Charles M. Russell's genuine portrayals of the old west by the greatest western artist, scrapbook 1905-1930 bulk 1925-1930. Cornell University Library
referencedIn R. D. and Margaret S. Warden collection, 1835-1990. University of Texas at San Antonio, John Peace Library (JPL)
referencedIn Haynes Family Photographs, 1866-1969 MSU-Bozeman Library, Merrill G Burlingame Special Collections
referencedIn Sahr, Jack. Jack "Doc" Sahr collection, 1903-1905. Montana Historical Society Library
creatorOf Russell, Charles M. (Charles Marion), 1864-1926. Photographs, ca. 1880-1926. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn George D. Sack papers Archives of American Art
creatorOf Russell, Charles M. (Charles Marion), 1864-1921. Papers, 1904-1971. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Hoffman, Abraham. William S. Hart County Park research files. ca. 1950's- Natural History Museum Los Angeles County Foundation, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
referencedIn Dobie, J. Frank (James Frank), 1888-1964. TLS, 1945 December 8 : Shrivenham, Berkshire, England, to Bill [Arnold]. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
creatorOf American National Bank of Helena. American National Bank of Helena financial statement, 1903 Feb. 6. Montana Historical Society Library
referencedIn Montana History Conference (36th: Great Falls, Mont.: 2009). Proceedings, 2009. Montana Historical Society Library
referencedIn Johnson, Merle De Vore, 1874-1935. Letters of Merle Johnson h[manuscript], [1929]. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Philip R. Goodwin Collection, 1893-1935 McCracken Research Library - BBHC
referencedIn Edwin, Edward S., 1889-1983. Reminiscences of Edward S. Edwin : oral history, 1967. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Monroe, Angus, 1888-1980,. Angus and Lilly Monroe interview, [19--]. University of Montana, Mansfield Library
referencedIn Baker, Almeron Joseph, 1882-. Baker papers, 1912-1917. Arizona Historical Society, Southern Arizona Division
creatorOf Russell, Charles M. (Charles Marion), 1864-1926. Indian head [art original]. Denver Public Library, Central Library
referencedIn R. D. and Margaret S. Warden Collection MS 138., 1835-1990 The University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries . Special Collections
referencedIn Johnson, Merle De Vore, 1874-1935. Letter of Merle Johnson to Will James, [1929]. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Frank B. Linderman Memorial Collection, 1885-2005 Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library Archives and Special Collections
referencedIn Haynes family. Haynes family photographs, 1866-1969. Montana State University (Bozeman, Mont.). Library
creatorOf Priboscis, Viktor Von. John and Jane Adams artwork collection, 1890-1936. San Diego State University Library, SDSU Library and Information Access
creatorOf Russell, Charles M. (Charles Marion), 1864-1926. Letters, 1913-ca. 1920. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Russell, Charles M. (Charles Marion), 1864-1921. Photographs, {ca. 1910}. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Letters received from Nancy Cooper Russell relating to Charles M. Russell Archives of American Art
referencedIn Beil, Charles. Charles M. Russell statue competition deliberations, 1957 July 14. Montana Historical Society Library
referencedIn J. S. Palen collection, circa 1863-1998 Univerisity of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
referencedIn Hetzel, Albert J., 1887-1979. A.J. Hetzel writings, 1971. Montana Historical Society Library
referencedIn Ann T. Walton papers., 1896-2002 (Bulk 1981-1987). Minnesota Historical Society
referencedIn Jackson, Alice F. (Alice Fanny), b. 1877. Jackson-Stevens-Morris family papers, 1795-1968. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn James Brownlee Rankin Research Collection : Charles M. Russell, 1910-1962 Montana Historical Society Archives
creatorOf Russell, Charles M. (Charles Marion), 1864-1926. Charles Marion Russell collection, ca. 1864-1926. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Russell, Charles M. (Charles Marion), 1864-1926. Artist file. Brooklyn Museum Libraries & Archives
referencedIn Montana postcard collection, 1893-2008, bulk 1905-1950 Montana Historical Society Research CenterPhotograph Archives
creatorOf Franz R. and Kathryn M. Stenzel Collection of Western American Art Addition, 1853-1962 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Russell, Nancy Cooper, 1878-. Letters, 1912-1928. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Russell, Charles M. (Charles Marion), 1864-1926. Ambushed [art original]. Denver Public Library, Central Library
referencedIn Dorothy Floerchinger Papers, 1883-1991 Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library Archives and Special Collections
referencedIn James Brownlee Rankin photograph collection: Charles M. Russell, circa 1875-1939 Montana Historical Society Research CenterPhotograph Archives
referencedIn Hammond, M. O. (Melvin Ormond), 1876-1934. M.O. Hammond diary, 1909 Montana Historical Society Library
creatorOf Charles M. Russell ephemera, 1900-1964 L. Tom Perry Special Collections
referencedIn Alexander Leggat Collection, 1864-1964 MSU-Bozeman Library, Merrill G Burlingame Special Collections
referencedIn National Broadcasting Company. "The West of Charlie Russell" records, 1969- Montana Historical Society Library
referencedIn Fjare, Orvin B. (Orvin Benonie), 1918-. Orvin B. Fjare papers, 1955-1957. Montana State University (Bozeman, Mont.). Library
referencedIn Biography -- Russell, Charles M. Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library
referencedIn Erskine, Ralph C., 1912-1996. Erskine Family Papers 1901-1992 Montana Historical Society Library
referencedIn Cooper, Walter, 1843-1924. Walter Cooper papers, 1881-1924 Montana Historical Society Library
creatorOf Russell, Charles M. (Charles Marion), 1864-1926. ALS, [n.d.] : Great Falls, Montana, to "Friend Guy." Copley Press, J S Copley Library
creatorOf Russell, Charles M. (Charles Marion), 1864-1921. Photographs, {ca. 1910}. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Charles M. Russell photograph collection, 1864-1926 L. Tom Perry Special Collections
referencedIn Lovell, Tom, 1909-1997. Tom Lovell papers, circa 1845-1997. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
referencedIn Ohio State University. Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. Charles M. Russell 1864-1926 biographical file. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Scrapbooks, [ca. 1877]-1930. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Renner, Ginger K. [Letter, 1989 April 19] Paradise Valley, Arizona [to] Horace L. Dodd, San Diego, California. San Diego State University Library, SDSU Library and Information Access
referencedIn Folkestad, Lloyd D., 1894-1984. Lloyd Folkestad letter, 1963. Montana Historical Society Library
referencedIn Papers, 1953. University of Oklahoma, Bizzell Memorial Library
referencedIn Orvin B. Fjare Papers, 1955-1957 MSU-Bozeman Library, Merrill G Burlingame Special Collections
creatorOf Du Tant, Charles. Art of the Southwest : Santa Fe, New Mexico, [195-?] / compiled by Charles du Tant. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Letters received from Nancy Cooper Russell relating to Charles M. Russell Archives of American Art
referencedIn Clendenin, Eliza. Travel diary, 1894 Jun-Oct. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Robert B. Honeyman, Jr. Collection of Early Californian and Western American Pictorial Material Bancroft Library
creatorOf Russell, Charles M. (Charles Marion), 1864-1926. Artist file. Brooklyn Museum Libraries & Archives
referencedIn Botsford, E. M., 1869-. Papers, 1893-1952. Texas Tech University Libraries, Academic Library
referencedIn Russell, Nancy Cooper, 1878-. Papers, 1926-1970. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Franz R. and Kathryn M. Stenzel Collection of Western American Art Addition, 1853-1962 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Chamberlain scrapbook MC092., 1867-1905 Albert and Ethel Herzstein Library,
referencedIn Records, 1914-1997. University of Oklahoma, Bizzell Memorial Library
creatorOf Russell, Charles M. (Charles Marion), 1864-1926. Ephemera, 1900-1964. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Charles M. Russell papers, 1904-1971 L. Tom Perry Special Collections
referencedIn Maynard Dixon Papers, [ca. 1896-1946] Bancroft Library
referencedIn Walton, Ann Thorson. Ann T. Walton papers, 1896-2002 (Bulk 1981-1987). Minnesota Historical Society Library
creatorOf Russell, Charles M. (Charles Marion), 1864-1926. Charles M. Russell papers, circa 1880s-1920s. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Cassandra O. Phelps Papers, 1914-1945 MSU-Bozeman Library, Merrill G Burlingame Special Collections
creatorOf American National Bank (Helena, Mont.). American National Bank records, 1890-1931, bulk, 1914-1931. Montana Historical Society Library
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Oral history interview with Joseph L. Brotherton Archives of American Art
Relation Name
associatedWith American National Bank (Helena, Mont.) corporateBody
associatedWith American National Bank of Helena. corporateBody
associatedWith Baker, Almeron Joseph, 1882- person
associatedWith Botsford, E. M., 1869- person
associatedWith Broder, Patricia Janis. person
associatedWith Brotherton, Joseph L., 1918- person
associatedWith Chamberlain, Samuel E. (Samuel Emery), 1829-1908 person
associatedWith Clendenin, Eliza. person
associatedWith Cole, Philip C., 1890-1940. person
associatedWith Cooper, Walter, 1843-1924. person
associatedWith De Yong, Joe, b. 1894. person
correspondedWith Dixon, Maynard, 1875-1946 person
associatedWith Dobie, J. Frank (James Frank), 1888-1964. person
associatedWith Duveen, Albert. person
associatedWith Edwin, Edward S., 1889-1983. person
associatedWith Erskine, Ralph C., 1912-1996. person
associatedWith Fjare, Orvin B. (Orvin Benonie), 1918- person
correspondedWith Floerchinger, Dorothy, 1901-1996 person
associatedWith Folkestad, Lloyd D., 1894-1984. person
associatedWith Ford, Lee M. person
associatedWith Hammond, M. O. (Melvin Ormond), 1876-1934. person
associatedWith Hart, Neal person
associatedWith Haynes family family
associatedWith Haynes family. family
associatedWith Hetzel, Albert J., 1887-1979. person
associatedWith Honeyman, Robert B. person
associatedWith Huffman, L. A. (Laton Alton), 1854-1931. person
associatedWith Huntington Free Library. corporateBody
associatedWith Johnson, Merle De Vore, 1874-1935. person
associatedWith Kanst Art Gallery (Los Angeles, Calif.) corporateBody
associatedWith Leggat, Alexander, 1876-1961. person
associatedWith Linabury, Frank, person
associatedWith Linderman, Frank Bird, 1869-1938. person
associatedWith Lovell, Tom, 1909-1997. person
associatedWith Monroe, Angus, 1888-1980, person
associatedWith Montana Historical Society person
associatedWith Montana History Conference (36th: Great Falls, Mont.: 2009) corporateBody
associatedWith Morgan, Robert F., 1929- person
associatedWith National Broadcasting Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Palen, J. S. (Joseph S.), 1912-1996. person
associatedWith Phelps, Cassandra O., 1879-1965 person
associatedWith Rankin, James Brownlee, 1900-1962 person
associatedWith Renner, Ginger K. person
associatedWith Rogers, Will, 1879-1935 person
associatedWith Russell, Charles M. (Charles Marion), 1864-1921. person
associatedWith Russell, Nancy Cooper, 1878- person
associatedWith Sack, George D. person
associatedWith Sahr, Jack person
associatedWith Stenzel, Franz. person
associatedWith Stenzel, Franz. person
associatedWith Walton, Ann Thorson. person
associatedWith Warden, Margaret person
associatedWith Warden, R. D. person
associatedWith Weadick, Guy. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Miles City (Mont.)
United States
United States
United States
West (U.S.)
West (U.S.)
Montana
United States
Montana
Montana
West (U.S.)
Great Plains
Subject
Actors
Art, American
Artists, American
Artists, American
Artists, American
Authors, American
Sculpture, American
Animals
Art
Art
Art, American History Sources
Artists
Artists
Artists
Artists
Art publishing
Art publishing
Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Comedians
Cowboys
Cowboys
Drawing, American
Facsimile image available (C709.73 D437or). See Librarian for location
Fine Arts
Greeting cards
Historians
Illustrators
Images
Indians in art
Indians of North America
Indians of North America
Landscape
Material Types
Painters
Publication
Sculptors
Sihasapa Indians
Occupation
Artists
Activity

Person

Birth 1864-03-19

Death 1926-10-24

Americans

Information

Permalink: http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w66w98bv

Ark ID: w66w98bv

SNAC ID: 72084677