Biography of Famous Agnostic Bertrand Russell

About the famous British agnostic Bertrand Russell, history and information about the beliefs of the philosopher.

BERTRAND RUSSELL (1872-1970)

His Person: British philosopher who contributed to the fields of mathematical logic, education, religion, and politics. Lost Labor party's support when he stood for Parliament in England and a Fellowship at Trinity College because of religious beliefs. Lost a teaching position in the U.S. because of his agnosticism and his "alleged advocacy and practice of sexual immorality" (case was tried by a Roman Catholic judge). Nobel Prize winner. From staunch Presbyterian background. Imprisoned while campaigning for nuclear disarmament. Established Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation. Wrote: The History of Western Philosophy, On Education, Marriage and Morals, Why I Am Not a Christian, Which Way to Peace?

His Belief: "The whole conception of God is a conception derived from the ancient Oriental despotisms. It is a conception quite unworthy of free man. . . . A good world needs knowledge, kindliness, and courage; it does not need a regretful hankering after the past or a fettering of the free intelligence by the words uttered long ago by ignorant men."