Life and Works of Bertrand Russell

  • Born

    Born
    Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3rd Earl Russell was born in Trelleck, Monmouthshire, Wales. He would go on to be an influential figure in the humanities and sciences and his ideas would echo across continents and generations.
    (Photographer Unknown, 1873)
  • Trinity College

    Russell began his studies in Mathematics and Philosophy at Trinity College, Cambridge
  • Principia Mathematica

    Principia Mathematica
    Russell collaborated with Alfred North Whitehead to co-author a groundbreaking, 3-volume, paradigm shifting investigation into the logic behind mathematics. Garnering attention in the fields of Mathematics, Philosophy, Computer Science and others, this opus provided the foundation on which Alan Turing and Kurt Gödel began their respective mathematical journeys (Linsky 2021).
  • Why I Am Not a Christian

    Not only did Russell impact the world of science and mathematics, but also the realm of theology and the philosophy of religion. In a speech (also published) titled "Why I Am Not a Christian' Russell outlines his moral, theological, judicial, and emotional reasons against Christianity and theism writ large. He ends his argument with a message of hope and self-determinism, that "[the world] needs hope for the future...[a] future that our intelligence can create" (Russell 1927).
  • A History Of Western Philosophy

    A History Of Western Philosophy
    Part history book and part commentary, this single volume spans (as its title suggests) the highlights of western philosophy from the Pre-Socratics to Russells contemporaries William James and John Dewey. This work places philosophical achievements within their respective social, academic, and historical contexts and each chapter serves as a mile-marker for paradigm shifts in the world of philosophy (Russell 1945)
  • Nobel Prize in Literature

    Nobel Prize in Literature
    In 1950, Russell was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature "in recognition of his varied and significant writings in which he champions humanitarian ideals and freedom of thought" (NobelPrize.org). You can listen to an excerpt of his acceptance speech at the following link:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzTl-eS8NGw&ab_channel=empire161(https://www.timetoast.com)
  • Died

    Died
    Bertrand Russell died of influenza at the age of 97 in the village of Penrhyndeudraeth. His legacy, though, is thriving. Russell published hundreds of works on math, logic, philosophy, and religion. He was a noted political activist and pacifist. His work also lives on through his influence on his protegé, noted philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein (Irvine 2021).
    (Photo by Lord Snowdon, 1967)