Bertrand Russell and Trinity

by G.H. Hardy

In 1916 Bertrand Russell was prosecuted and fined for publishing (in defence of a conscientious objector) 'statements likely to prejudice the recruiting and discipline of His Majesty's forces.' He was almost immediately afterwards dismissed from his Lectureship at Trinity College, Cambridge, by the College Council. This expulsion provoked a storm of protest and the true facts of the case became obscured by misconceptions, prejudices and uninformed gossip, to the discredit of the College.

In 1942, therefore G. H. Hardy the mathematician printed for private circulation to another generation of Fellows at Trinity a full account of the incident in an attempt to explain what really happened. This is now made public. Besides provoking an authoritative record of a celebrated but misinterpreted episode in Russell's eventful academic career, this document contains interesting evidence about attitudes to pacifism in the First World War and in particular about the sympathies of such distinguished colleagues and contemporaries of Russell as Cornford, Housman, McTaggart and Whitehead.

Unknown Binding

First published June 18, 2009

About the author

Godfrey Harold Hardy FRS was a prominent English mathematician, known for his achievements in number theory and mathematical analysis.

Non-mathematicians usually know him for A Mathematician's Apology, his essay from 1940 on the aesthetics of mathematics. The apology is often considered one of the best insights into the mind of a working mathematician written for the layman.

His relationship as mentor, from 1914 onwards, of the Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan has become celebrated. Hardy almost immediately recognized Ramanujan's extraordinary albeit untutored brilliance, and Hardy and Ramanujan became close collaborators. In an interview by Paul Erdős, when Hardy was asked what his greatest contribution to mathematics was, Hardy unhesitatingly replied that it was the discovery of Ramanujan. He called their collaboration "the one romantic incident in my life."

Reviews

[Srinivasa Ramanujam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a story of relationship between Bertrand Russell and Trinity college at one of the difficult times in history, the World War I, written by the an authorized person who has access to most of the original sources. The story begins with explaining about pacifist organizations (Union of Democratic Control, No Conscription Fellowship) and their role in conscription during the world war. It then proceeds in explaining why Trinity (council) took a stand to cancel the fellowship of one of the most famous and celebrated mind, Bertrand Russell. The last part is perhaps the unknown one to many, even in Trinity itself, the reinstatement of his fellowship and lecture post in post war era. The book is wonderfully written by G.H.Hardy, a famous mathematician of his times, a Trinity fellow himself.

[Brian Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book, not long after it became available, back in 1974.
Rereading books bought in one`s youth as a more mature adult is always rewarding I find, and this book is no exception. Originally written by G.H. Hardy, to be circulated to the Fellows of Trinity College Cambridge, it is an explanation of the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of Bertrand Russell from his lectureship at Trinity, in 1916, due to his defense of the ' conscientious objector' and the possible prejudice for the recruitment and discipline of His Majesties forces.
G.H.Hardy went to great length to throw some light on the important and relevant details that perhaps were unclear at the time, except for the few individuals, the College Council and legal support within Trinity.
This publication dates from the year of Russell`s death, 1970, and is well worth the read, for those who may be interested.