BRACERS Record Detail for 133757

To access the original letter, email the Russell Archives.

Collection code
RA3
Recent acquisition no.
1860
Source if not BR
Internet print from K. Blackwell
Recipient(s)
Grapevine
Barnet, V.E.
Sender(s)
BR
Date
1962/07/19
Full date (Estimate)
1962/07/19
Form of letter
TLS(DX)
Pieces
1
BR's address code (if sender)
PP
Notes and topics

The source at https://cres.org/RussellLetter.htm states: "I wrote Lord Russell when I was a kid. He responded -- ". For Barnet's letter see record  As editor of Grapevine, Barnet may have published the letter in the University of Omaha journal.

BR recommends a movement of mass resistance by ordinary people to prevent the uses of murderous weapons.

Transcription

BR TO GRAPEVINE / V.E. BARNET, 19 JULY 1962
BRACERS 133757. TLS. Internet print
Proofread by K. Blackwell


From: The Earl Russell, O.M., F.R.S.1
<letterhead>
Plas Penrhyn,
Penrhyndeudraeth,
Merioneth.
19th July, 1962.

Mr. V.E. Barnet,
Editor,
“Grapevine”,
Box 213,
University of Omaha,
Omaha 1,
Nebraska,
U.S.A.

Dear Mr. Barnet,

Thank you for your letter of 26 June. Please accept my apologies for not having replied to it before.

I was interested to hear that some of the students of Omaha take an active interest in the problems of nuclear armament and testing. While I should like to be able to hold out to you with confidence of a happy and peaceful world, I am doubtful as to whether optimism is the correct sentiment at the present time. I believe we have very little cause for optimism. Every careful analysis that has been made of the present military position suggests that, unless some radical change occurs in the near future, all that men have created and struggled for will be wiped out.

The only remedy for this state of affairs is a movement of mass resistance by ordinary people determined to prevent the militarists and the politicians from allowing their murderous weapons to be used.

Yours sincerely,
<signed> Bertrand Russell
Bertrand Russell

  • 1

    [document] Proofread against a digital facsimile of the original letter.

Publication
B&R C lead
Permission
Everyone
Image
Transcription Public Access
Yes
Record no.
133757
Record created
Jul 09, 2023
Record last modified
May 16, 2026
Created/last modified by
blackwk