Bertrand Russell

Facts

Earl (Bertrand Arthur William) Russell

Photo from the Nobel Foundation archive.

Earl (Bertrand Arthur William) Russell
The Nobel Prize in Literature 1950

Born: 18 May 1872, Trelleck, United Kingdom

Died: 2 February 1970, Penrhyndeudraeth, United Kingdom

Residence at the time of the award: United Kingdom

Prize motivation: “in recognition of his varied and significant writings in which he champions humanitarian ideals and freedom of thought”

Language: English

Prize share: 1/1

Work

Bertrand Russell made his first pioneering contributions within the branch of philosophy that deals with logic and mathematics. His authorship came to encompass considerably larger areas, however. His writing is characterized by levity and humor and extended knowledge about science and philosophy to a wide circle of readers. His authorship also embraces social and moral issues, and his standpoints often were controversial. Russell was an advocate for reason and humanism and a dedicated defender of freedom of speech and freedom of thought.

To cite this section
MLA style: Bertrand Russell – Facts. NobelPrize.org. Nobel Prize Outreach AB 2024. Wed. 15 May 2024. <https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/literature/1950/russell/facts/>

Back to top Back To Top Takes users back to the top of the page

Nobel Prizes and laureates

Eleven laureates were awarded a Nobel Prize in 2023, for achievements that have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind. Their work and discoveries range from effective mRNA vaccines and attosecond physics to fighting against the oppression of women.

See them all presented here.
Illustration

Explore prizes and laureates

Look for popular awards and laureates in different fields, and discover the history of the Nobel Prize.