WHAT IS the Bertrand Russell Society?
Founded in 1974, the Society seeks to foster a better understanding of the life, work, and writings of Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) and how his contributions relate to today's world. Our motto comes from Russell's short book, What I Believe (1925).
WHO WAS Bertrand Russell, anyway?
As a philosopher, mathematician, educator, social critic and political activist, Russell authored over 70 books and thousands of essays and letters addressing a myriad of topics. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1950, "Bertie" was a fine literary stylist, one of the foremost logicians ever, and a gadfly for improving the lives of men and women.
WHAT DOES the BRS DO?
The Bertrand Russell Society holds an annual meeting featuring scholarly and popular presentations about Russell and related subjects, a business meeting, a Red Hackle hour (in honor of Russell's favorite refreshment), a banquet and good fellowship.
Held on a long weekend, from Friday night to Sunday afternoon, usually in June, most often in a university setting, annual meetings have taken place in:
New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, Toronto, McMaster University (home of the Bertrand Russell Archives in Hamilton ON), Columbia, MD, Fredonia, NY, Drew University (Madison NJ), The Center for Inquiry (Buffalo NY), St. Petersburg, FL, Monmouth University (West Long Branch NJ), Lake Forest College (Lake Forest IL), and Plymouth State University (Plymouth NH).
BRS QUARTERLY
The BRS publishes The Bertrand Russell Society Quarterly in February, May, August and November. See Tables of Contents and articles online. Interested persons are invited to submit papers to the editor, Rosalind Carey.
1. The BRS awards an annual Student Essay Prize for the best new papers about Russell by undergraduates, graduate students and non-academics.
2. The BRS bestows an annual BRS Book Award for the best new book in Russell studies.
3. The BRS bestows an annual BRS Award to an individual or an organization whose work best furthers the interests and commitments of Bertrand Russell. (Bonus: awardees get a link to their home pages here!)
4. Finally, the BRS bestows the Lee Eisler Service Award for service to the Russell Society.
Finally, the BRS helps support Russell scholarship, for example, the scholarly journal Russell: The Journal of Bertrand Russell Studies, which all BRS members receive as part of their membership, and maintains these Web pages to provide information on Russell and related subjects and to further our shared interests and values.