BRACERS Record Detail for 131604

To access the original letter, email the Ready Division.

Collection code
RA3
Recent acquisition no.
1798
Box no.
16.77
Source if not BR
Karol Krysik Books / David Harley
Recipient(s)
Hatton, John F.
Sender(s)
BR
Date
1954/09/24
Form of letter
TLS(DX)
Pieces
2
BR's address code (if sender)
LRI
Notes, topics or text

BR thanks Hatton for his letter of 1954/08/27 (Record 24381) and the two books of Jamaica stories. BR encloses some photographs and a copy of The Good Citizen's Alphabet.

Hatton's response is record 24382. David Harley is the current owner.


Note from bookseller:

This book was mailed by Russel[l] to Mr. John F. Hatton in Toronto, Ontario. Included are also handwritten drafts from Hatton's letter to Russel[l], and Russel[l]'s signed response from his station in Richmond, Surrey. A real photo post card of Bertrand Russell by Ida Kar is included here. Jacket spine sunned, with small tears to head. Slight rubbing to boards, extremities and the boards a little bowed but otherwise a nice copy. John Frederick Hatton [1921-2006] enrolled in Victoria College, at the University of Toronto, in 1943. He ultimately graduated with an MA in English and Philosophy in 1947. When he began his studies at university, it was his intention to become a minister with the United Church of Canada; he had even won a scholarship to pursue this path. However, as he studied philosophy for a number of years at the university, his thoughts took a different turn. He immersed himself in both Western and Eastern philosophy and logic. Ultimately, he encountered the writings of Bertrand Russell, and became convinced that a role within the traditional religious institution was no longer his aspiration. While he abjured conventional religious orthodoxy, he did carry a deep spirituality and sense of responsibility to humanity in general. He was unable to serve in the army in World War II for medical reasons; instead, he was passionate about assisting those who had lost family-members overseas. In addition, he wrote letters to governments all over the world strongly advocating peace and the futility of war. Russell's work resounded with John, and as a result he advocated logic and rational ideas towards the goal of peace. John shared Russell's view that religion was little more than superstition, and was largely harmful to people. He believed that religion and religious outlook served to impede knowledge and was responsible for much of our world's wars and violence. In 1954, Mr. Hatton wrote to Bertrand Russell expressing his admiration and esteem for the philosopher's works. Bertrand Russell graciously responded with an autographed copy of The Good Citizen's Alphabet and two photographs. Both men were members of the British Humanist Association and the Rationalist Association

Transcription

BR TO JOHN F. HATTON, 24 SEPT. 1954
BRACERS 131604. TLS. David Harley
Proofread by K. Blackwell


<letterhead>
41 Queen’s Road
Richmond
Surrey
24 September, 1954.

Mr. John F. Hatton,
563 Woburn Avenue, Toronto 12,
Ontario, Canada.

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your letter of August 27. I am grateful to you for the nice things you say about my work. I am interested in what you say about the University of Kansas which you must have found very discouraging.

I do not possess a copy of the book you mention containing a number of photographs of me. I am doing the best I can by enclosing two copies of a small photograph. I am sending you also a copy of The Good Citizen’s Alphabet under separate cover.

Thank you very much for the two books of Jamaican stories, which I look forward to reading.

Yours sincerely,
Bertrand Russell

 

Permission
Everyone
Image
Transcription Public Access
Yes
Record no.
131604
Record created
Jul 10, 2018
Record last modified
Oct 26, 2023
Created/last modified by
blackwk