BRACERS Notes

Record no. Notes, topics or text
130601

"The photostats of Sidney Hook letters which you gave me are very interesting, but there is a lot more material (I hope) still to come. BR had a full-scale debate with Hook on the desirability of nuclear warfare. Can you find it?"

130602

"Wednesday's New York Times story by Robert Dallos does not mean we have changed policy. I did say the Bertrand Russell Foundation is out to prove a point with investigations and they have an axe to grind. All politically oriented organizations have a point of view which they pursue diligently; it's their job. I would have made the same statement about the Pentagon, the Democratic Party or the Republican Party. I may not agree with a group's premise, but CBS News will continue reporting all sides of major issues affecting our country and our world, particularly a story with such ramifications for the future as the United States' commitment to Vietnam."

130603

Re the Grove Press and the U.S. publication of War Crimes in Vietnam. Farley quotes from correspondence between Unwin and BR.

130604

"BR agrees, with regret, to the suppressions demanded by the Spanish Information Ministry in connection with War Crimes in Vietnam, as listed in the letter from the Spanish publishers to Allen & Unwin of April 22nd."

130605

BR's draft introduction to Mr. Wilson Speaks Frankly and Fearlessly to Bertrand Russell on Vietnam.

130606

BR's Introduction to Against the Crimes of Silence.

130607

"On each occasion the Prime Minister uses two criteria to judge events: 'What must I do to stay in power?' and 'What will the Americans think?'. It is not the promised land that Wilson leads us towards, but the American graveyard in Vietnam."

130608

"I think it is seriously doubtful if mankind will be left in the world in fifty years' time. If tension continues between East and West, the outlook is very, very grave."

130609

"Thank you very much for the sight of the script of the film of Lord Russell shot in 1961. It is a great shame that it is so political but I shall do my best to interest the BBC though it will, as you pointed out, have to be backed by more film which I hope will be safely found in the BBC Archives."

130610

"The author is now putting some finishing touches on Bertrand Russell for Schools which we are probably now going to call Bertrand Russell: An Introduction. ... We have been thinking about the cover, and a photograph of Russell certainly seems essential. What I would really like is something showing him in action among young people, or at least engaged in some sort of activity which will be instantly recognizable by and relevant to the young."

The author of the book is Brian Carr.

130611

"I have been asked, by the Encyclopedia Britannica, to do the biographical article on Bertrand Russell for their next revision. I have said I will do this, since the more technical aspects of Russell's philosophy are being dealt with under separate headings."

130612

"Could you please make arrangements to seek publishers for Eisler's manuscript Morals Without Mystery? ... BR has given him a brief statement of support which might be some inducement to a publisher."

130613

"Turning to your recent letter about Mr. Marvin Kaye's typescript of Bertrand Russell's Guided Tour of Intellectual Rubbish, I did not read it I confess with great care but I confirm the impression that it was not wholly without merit. It was stimulating, not always accurate but seemed to have the fizz and dazzle that might get the attention of an audience without in any way making Russell into a figure of fun."

130614

"As I mentioned on the phone today, I visited Lady Russell over the weekend and we discussed Mr. Kaye's work, both feeling as you do that he should be encouraged to complete his 'theatrical treatment'. There are one or two small errors in the part already sent, so it will be useful for the entirety to be submitted in due course."

130615

"One of my colleagues here has had some dealings with an American who was anxious to do something slightly different i.e. a sort of one-man theatrical treatment, such as we have seen in London recently successfully done by Emlyn Williams, using and linking together a good deal of Russell's own written material in spoken form."

130616

A programme for the one-man show, "Bertrand Russell's Guided Tour of Intellectual Rubbish", starring Robert Rounseville as BR.

130617

"I recently purchased, in a second-hand store, a first edition of one of the late Lord Russell's books on education. On the flyleaf was written: 'To my devoted admirer Minna from Bertrand Russell re Gert Glass.' Is this, perhaps, a genuine signature, do you think? (Or was the bookseller trying to add to the value of the volume?)"

130618

Denonn does not know Professor Pitt of Fresno State College, but he asked K. Blackwell at the Russell Archives in McMaster University, and Blackwell informed him that Professor Pitt spent several days at the Archives.

"Please convey the best regards and best wishes of Mrs. Denonn and myself to Lord Russell."

130619

"Mr. Pitt wishes to include as an appendix to Human Knowledge: It's Scope and Limits certain relevant but unpublished material which is located in the Russell Archives at McMaster. Lord Russell is interested in the proposal but, before coming to a decision, would like to know something more about Mr. Pitt and his abilities. He wondered whether you would be able to advise him in this matter."

For Quine's reply, see record 123194.

130620

"As you know the Estate has been giving protracted and serious consideration to Jack Pitt's proposal to add an edited version of Russell's notes as an appendix to Human Knowledge. I have today heard that this proposal has been approved so it only remains for me to obtain the necessary clearance from McMaster based on the terms of our contract with you. ...It was also felt that the new printing of Human Knowledge which is imminent would, in terms of sales at least, benefit considerably from the addition of Pitt's material."

130621

"The purpose of my request is to see whether a readable selection of these 'Notes' can be assembled for possible inclusion by Allen and Unwin in their edition of Human Knowledge."

130622

Re William Ready's book Necessary Russell and copyright infringement. "I have discussed this with BR, and he is fully in agreement with the suggestion made by Mr. Unwin. His only regret is that you and Mr. Unwin have been put to so much trouble about this book."

130623

Re William Ready's book Necessary Russell and copyright infringement.

"Thank you for letting me know the current position vis-à-vis the Autobiography Volume III and Canada and I note that you will be in touch with me again shortly on this point. You will be unhappy to hear that we have today had a declination of Dear Bertrand Russell from Penguins. We are now trying Panther Books."

130624

"Many thanks for the copy of Professor Rotblat's letter. It doesn't seem as if we should receive his edition of the ABC of Atoms very soon!"

130625

"We are delighted that you are willing to undertake the task of editing ABC of Atoms. I am sorry to have taken so long in replying but we have been waiting to obtain copies of both old and new editions of ABC of Relativity. I enclose the revised edition herewith and shall send you the original...."

130626

"Alas I must confess to failure in locating a pre-Pirani version of ABC of Relativity. I can only suggest borrowing a London Library copy or advertising in The Clique."

130627

"I have been waiting for the past few weeks, hoping that perhaps the book would arrive, but unfortunately it has not. As I should like to start very soon the work on the ABC of Atoms I would, therefore, be very glad if you could let me have a copy of the ABC of Relativity as soon as possible."

130628

"In your letter of 3 July 1974, you mentioned that you expected Spokesman Books to publish my collection of Russell essays in time for Christmas, 1975."

130629

"You asked at our recent lunch what the half dozen Russell titles that we were reissuing in our new paperback series would consist of. Obviously the Autobiography as the lead book. ... In addition I hope to have Bertrand Russell's BestWhy I am not a ChristianConquest of HappinessPower and Political Ideals in the first batch. I hope that these may be ready by the end of this year...."

130630

Re Ruja's proposed book Mortals and Others: Bertrand Russell's American Essays 1931-1935. "We have now heard from Lord Russell that he has considered your proposal and is extremely pleased to give you his full consent."

130631

"We understand that you wish to make a substantial film on the life of the Late Lord Russell. ... We write to note our interest in your proposals and to confirm that our permissions, copyright consents, co-operation are a sine qua non of our such film. We look forward to full details of your progress and of your solid proposals."

130632

"As requested, I am hereby confirming my interest in directing a series of films on the Life of the Late Lord Russell. I am afraid I cannot go into any detail regarding my plans for the project at this time as my life is completely taken up with my present picture."

130633

"I would not see any insuitable obstacle to a television film on Lord Russell's life. ... I do agree that Mr. Losey would be an ideal Director such a film and I will certainly do all I can to further this project forward."

130634

"I think Lady Russell and Chris Farley have already informed you that Mr. Joseph Losey is interested in the possibility of making a film for television about the life and work of Lord Russell; and that as a result two of the major television companies are showing keenness, and wish to discuss such a project."

130635

"As Executor to the Estate and on behalf of my Co-Executors I write to confirm that you have the full support and co-operation, in conformity with our Agreement, in producing a television film on the life of Bertrand Russell."

130636

"I am grateful for your full account of all that has happened concerning the Observer newspaper and Mrs. Vinogradoff. There are, however, three remaining matters which I do not understand, and I should be pleased to hear from you about these: 1. Why was Mrs. Vinogradoff's solicitor allowed to proceed with this matter in the first place? ... 2. Could you not have informed one of my assistants so that we were informed before reading of the matter in the newspapers? ... 3. I do not understand how the Observer ever came to see any letters to me from Lady Ottoline Morrell."

130637

A royalty statement for Principia Mathematica to the Executors of BR.

130638

"You can find purpose in your life by interesting yourself in things outside your own person. I am sending a recent 'Appeal' which may interest you."

130639

"I learn from my secretary that Friday will be your 94th birthday. It pleases me to learn of a fellow nonagenarian and to know that our birth dates are within two days of each other. Although older than you I feel as if we were almost the same age and I send you my very best wishes for your birthday trusting that we shall each celebrate our centenaries with vigour and joy."

130640

"I have got no further in your third volume of Autobiography than your mention of regret, that your 'Nightmares of Eminent Persons' had never been staged—and I hasten to write to you to ask if there might be a chance of reading them?"

130641

"Lord Russell is in principle most interested in such a television appearance around March 1967."

130642

Written in Edith Russell's hand, on behalf of both her and BR.

Re Ralph Schoenman."Ruining BR's reputation by telling people that a) he has written most of the articles put out in BR's name during the last year and a half—or two years, b) that he wrote all the telegrams and letters that went out at the time of the Cuba crisis, c) that he signs most of BR's letters."

130643

On the verso of the photograph: "Addressing the Thirty Thousand: London: White-haired Lord Russell is seen on the raised platform within Trafalgar Square in London this afternoon addressing some thirty thousand people who crowded around him. The audience included over ten thousand marchers who spent the holiday week-end on a journey from both Aldermaston and Wethersfield. At Lord Russell's right is Canon John Collins (spectacles and beret) who is the Chairman of the Campaign."

130644

A booklet entitled "The Faith of a Rationalist", a reprint of BR's address, published for the Rationalist Press Association.

"This Broadcast address was delivered on May 20, 1947, and is reprinted by the kind permission of the author".

130645

"If Newman is able to be at the meeting, I think we should discuss with him how he might cover the question of Russell's contribution to mathematics. In the very short time that so large a number of speakers will allow any individual one, he would be able to give only a bare outline, in very popular terms, of the key contributions which Bertie Russell made and of the importance still of so much of his work on the foundations of mathematics."

130646

"Russell's clarity and humour were so terribly important in themselves in making his essays acceptable and enjoyable to many people otherwise not given to reading thought provoking material; and this is not to mention his more technical work."

130647

"As for the London Mathematical Society we have no record of any correspondence with them although they did award Russell with their Augustus de Morgan gold medal in 1933."

130648

"This is to tell you, just in case you otherwise miss it, that there is a radio programme on the Third on Russell's philosophy this Saturday, 4 April in the evening. There will be a more general programme about Russell on the evening of April 14, in which I believe Sir Edward Boyle is playing a leading role."

130649

"I enclose herewith [not present] a copy of the revised edition of The Spokesman number three, which is entirely concerned with BR. It has been given a new cover and removed one stage from The Spokesman. If you want copies of this to be sold at the June 8 meeting, perhaps you would let me know."

130650

"Lady Russell has given me the enclosed somewhat formidable list of people who ought to be advised about the June 8 meeting." The meeting was held at Central Hall Westminster in honour of BR.

130651

A booklet for the meeting held on 8 June 1970, honouring BR.

130652

"Transcribed from a recording by Radio Direction Telediphone Unit. 'The Passionate Involvement: Bertrand Russell and the Twentieth Century'. Narrated by Sir Edward Boyle."

130653

"Unfortunately, the future of the Russell Press is in some peril, as a result of two serious threats. Firstly, there is a problem of complex tax litigation. Gifts made by Bertrand Russell before he died enabled the press to be established. ... At the same time, the local authority have placed a compulsory purchase order on the building which houses the press, which, if upheld, will compel it to move to new premises which will be greatly more expensive than its present ones."

130654

BR's reply is summarized (and not dated) at the top in Edith Russell's hand: "OK but Allen and Unwin's permission needed. Sentence asked for <is> enclosed: 'The main thing needed to make the world happy is intelligence'."

130655

"Book just received. Publisher says too late for preface, but want sentence of commentation. Will write you again when book read."

BR's dictated reply appears at the head of Belfrage's letter (see record 5340).

130656

Dictated answer to Bennett's letter re Louis Couturat's death (see record 5343): "1914. Run over by motor lorry during mobilization."

130657

This draft telegram was written in BR's hand at the foot of Rabinowitch's letter of January 30th (see record 83420).
 

130658

Themerson provides BR with a copy of his reply to Ryle's letter rejecting an article for Mind. This letter is attached to Themerson's letter at record 83661.

130659
130660
130661
130662
130663

Dictated reply in Edith Russell's hand on the verso of Hayes' letter on November 28th, 1960.

130664
130665
130666

BR encloses a letter from Robert E. Egner.

130667

Enclosed with a letter from Egner to BR (see record 83450).

130668

BR's Preface to Bertrand Russell's Best

130669
130670
130671

A "with compliments" card was inserted between pp. 84-5 of William Barrett's Irrational Man (Russell's Library, no. 1872). Appendix II, "Existence and Analytic Philosophers", has a section on Russell.

130672

A blank playing card (?) was inserted between pp. 310-11 of Hegel's Werke, vol. 16 (Russell's Library, no. 1005).

130673

This letter was inserted between pp. 34-5 of Thomas Carlyle's Frederick the Great, vol. 7 (Russell's Library, no. 714). Saunders asks if Webb would see Kellogg Durland of Boston about London's university settlements.

130674

A blank sheet of paper was inserted between pp. 62-3 of Thomas Carlyle's Critical and Miscellaneous Essays, vol. 7 (Russell's Library, no. 707). The recto of the rear endpaper is full of notes by BR.

130675

This postcard is preprinted with the address, 41 Grosvenor Road, Westminster Embankment, which is the home of the Webbs. The card is unsigned, but the handwriting matches B. Webb's. The writer stayed after Alys left and expects to see her Tuesday and "B" [Bertrand] on Wednesday. The postmark date is clarified by the fact that the Russells did not take Little Buckland until late July 1902 (see S. Turcon, "Nomads", BRS Bulletin, no. 148 [fall 2013]: 32-3).

The card was inserted between pp. 98-9 of Thomas Carlyle's Critical and Miscellaneous Essays, vol. 3 (Russell's Library, no. 703).

130676

"Accept fee 50 guineas." Written at the foot of Hone's letter to BR (see record 83605).

130677
130678

A statement for Kabadi on Indian neutrality and Nehru.

130679
130680
130681

"With the Compliments of Gaberbocchus." Possibly this slip was for a copy of BR's The Good Citizen's Alphabet (Russell's Library, no. 3216A).

130682
130683
130684

Notes in BR's hand on his own writings, probably for an unidentified new writing:

Bulletin, March 1962, p. 6, 2nd column
Fact and Fiction, p. 266ff [Kahn] [NYT Mag, 1960]
On Civil Disobedience, p. 5 [Speech, April 15, 1961]
Cardiff speech, 1.11.61, p. 2 
Trafalgar Square 29.10.61: "I do not believe that either America or Russia should disarm unilaterally, because whichever did not do so would automatically become ruler of the world"
Common Sense, pp 85-6

130685

A note by BR is attached to this telegram: "Kaizo (Japanese Magazine) on my supposed death in 1921."

The telegram expresses sorrow on learning of the (mistaken) death of BR.

130686
130687

A slip of paper with "GREYS are great" printed in green was inserted between pp. 108-9 of BR's The Impact of Science on Society (Russell's Library, no. 3158). In addition there is a marginale in Edith Russell's hand on p. 109 noting that a passage was "omitted from Columbia Edition p. 56-57".

130688

A news clipping was inserted between pp. 204 and the plate of Crabbet Park in Edith Finch's Wilfrid Scawen Blunt (Russell's Library, no. 1521). The clipping is from The Times, is dated in Edith Russell's hand 18/8/76, and an advertisement for the sale of the Crabbet Park Equitation Centre has been circled and noted with three arrows. Page 204 concerns the Crabbet stables.

130689

A "with the compliments of the publishers" card was inserted between the front endpapers of Will and Ariel Durant's The Age of Voltaire (Russell's Library, no. 2413).

130690

Correspondence with BR's agent regarding his speaking engagement at the City Club of Cleveland in April 1939. There are 4 letters to Feakins, Inc. and 9 letters from Feakins, Inc., and an announcement for Power published by W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. and the note that "Bertrand Russell's lectures are under the management of William B. Feakins, Inc., at 500 Fifth Avenue, New York City, and the Vista Del Arroyo in Pasadena, California."

Source: Michael Stevenson had the files of the City Club of Cleveland searched for BR's 8 April 1939 lecture.
 

130691

BR answers questions.

130692
130693
130694

This is a cable from BR to the American Nobel Anniversary Dinner. The date of the dinner is January 11, 1958.

130695

Cantor tells BR that he has just received a second telegram from his wife: "Erich besser".  This letter ("Dear Sir ... <signed> Cantor"> is written on the back of the envelope accompanying Cantor's second letter, document .048018, at record 75516.

130696
130697
130698
130699
130700

Blurb for The Minority of One, published with signature in its issue of April 1965 (vol. 7, no. 4, p. 11) and possibly the March issue; and in subsequent issues.