Russell: The Journal of Bertrand Russell Archives

LA"rticles There can be no doubt that 19II was a productive and tumultuous year f~r Bertrand Russell. Towards the end of the year he has the followmg to say about his productivity: I endeavour to go by reason as far as possible. ("Greek Exercises" [1888], Papers I: II) ( I must thank the staffin the Ready Division ofArchives and Research Collections at McMaster University Library for their assistance in gathering the information I needed for this paper. I am particularly indebted to Carl Spadoni and Ken Blackwell for all their help. All original correspondence quoted is in the Bertrand Russell Archives. A grant from the Aid-to-Creativity Committee from Monmouth University (New Jersey) made this project possible. . 2 "Le Realisme analytique", Bulletin de fa societefranraise dephilosophie (1911); ''L'Importance philosophique de la logistique", Revue de mitaphysique et de morale (1911); "Sur les axiomes de l'infini et du transfini", Sociite mathematique de France, Comptes rendus des seances (19II)-all reprinted in Papers 6. 3 The paper was entitled "On the Relations of Universals and Particulars" and was read at the annual meeting ofthe Aristotelian Society on 30 October 1911 and published the following year in their Proceedings. Russell, as newly elected President of the Society, had to hold their meeting on "the last Monday ofOctober to suit the everlasting [Henti] Bergson, who would then be present" (SLBR, I: 393, letter #177 to Lady Ottoline Morrell, [16 Sept. 1911]). A LADY, HER PHILOSOPHER AND A CONTRADICTION ALAN SCHWERINI Philosophy / Monmouth University West Long Branch, NJ 07764-1898, USA aschweri@monmouth.edu During the past year I have written 3 Paris lectures (of which 2 are published and th~ 3rd s.oon will be)/ my shilling shocker [i.e. The Problems ofPhilosophy], the ArIstotelian paper,3 and [the 129-page manuscript entitled] "Prisons". Conrussell : (he Journal of the Berrrand Russell Archives McMaster University Press n.s. 19 (summer 1999): 5-28 ISSN 0036-01631 6 ALAN SCHWERIN sidering how much time has been taken up in lectures and proofs {i.e. proofreading for the gargantuan Principia Mathematica] and seeing pUpilS,4 I don't feel seriously dissatisfied.5 The intense scholarly activity in 1911 that resulted in an impressive set of diverse academic publications and manuscripts was accompanied by a number of personal entanglements that were equally intense and also tumultuous for Russell. Two of these relationships would prove to be especially strained. Late Wednesday afternoon, 18 October 19II, Russell met Ludwig Wittgenstein for the first time. As we know from the numerous accounts available on their relationship, the exchanges between Russell and Wittgenstein were emotionally charged and not always cordial . However, in 19II a second relationship flourished that would prove equally intense. Earlier in the year, Russell renewed his acquaintance with Lady Ottoline Morrell, thereby setting in motion a liaison that would last six years and a friendship that would last a further twenty-one years.6 The rela4 One needs to view this reference to the demands made on him by his students with some circumspection. In a letter to a lifelong friend, Lucy Donnelly-an American professor ofliterature teaching at Bryn Mawr College-Russell allows some light in on his commitments to teaching: I am very busy and very happy. I enjoy my young men very much. Only two stuck to my lectures to the bitter end last year [i.e. the academic year 1910-11], but they both got fellowships. As only three fellowships were given, that was satisfactory. This year I have begun with about twenty, but they will no doubt diminish soon. (SLBR, I: 402; my emphasis and insertion) Classes this size are not exactly overwhelming, as Russell himselfseems to intimate. The two students who received fellowships were C. D. Broad, the philosopher, and E. H. Neville, a mathematician. 5 SLBR I: 403, letter #286 to Morrell, 13 Dec. 19II; my insertions. In what follows, the use ofsquare brackets denotes my insertions. 6 Lady Ottoline Morrell died in 1938 under unusual circu~stances. Her husband, Philip Morrell had fallen ill and visited a specialist with Lady Ottoline. The doctor bluntly informed both of them that Philip had a serious heart disease and that he...