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90th Birthday mementoes/tribute

Russell's 90th birthday on 18 May 1962 was celebrated the next evening at the Royal Festival Hall in London with a musical tribute. Series consists primarily of birthday letters/cards received by Russell from individuals and organizations all over the world, as well as copies of his replies. As noted in the Archives 2 print finding aid, series also includes letters “written chiefly in response to Ralph Schoenman's requests for tributes to be printed in the tribute booklet, Into the Tenth Decade (1962).” Also found in the series are a program for the musical tribute and a signed scroll presented by British Members of Parliament.

Union of Democratic Control

Series consists primarily of letters received by Russell from various branches of the UDC requesting that he speak at their meetings. Russell was an early leader of the UDC, which was founded in part to combat what was perceived as ‘secret’ foreign policy in the lead up to the First World War. Also includes a UDC circular letter of 1914 signed by Ramsay MacDonald, Charles Trevelyan, Norman Angell, and E.D. Morel, pamphlets, draft writings, and other material. The items from 1963 relate to an early UDC pamphlet written by Russell, ‘War: the Offspring of Fear’. Acquired as part of Archives 1.

Morton Sobell case

Series deals with Russell’s response to the case of Morton Sobell, an American engineer who was convicted of passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union in the same 1951 trial that also convicted Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. Sobell was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Russell vehemently protested his conviction and sentence. Series consists of correspondence, press releases, bulletins, pamphlets, news clippings, and legal documents including Briefs and Petitions in the Supreme Court. Much of the correspondence is with Helen Sobell, the wife of Morton. See also series 340, Civil rights, for a file relating to the Sobell case (box 9.65). Acquired as part of Archives 1.

Other ‘cases’: Waller, Bilainkin, Britton

The series grouped here relate to cases or controversies for which Russell’s support was solicited. <b>831</b>: Correspondence with Guy Waller, news clippings, and drafts of articles, 1955-56. Waller had written articles for The Sunday Chronicle describing the effects of radioactive fallout, for which he was greatly criticized. He sought Russell’s support. <b>833</b>: Correspondence with George Bilainkin, 1956-63, who attempted to secure Russell's support in his allegations that his ex-wife, Lillian, who had custody of their daughter, was guilty of cruelty to the child. Also includes a copy of Bilainkin's affidavit, a petition, statements, a summary of the case, and other documents. <b>834</b>: Correspondence with Lionel Britton and Elizabeth Barber, and news clippings, 1956-57. Britton completed a George Bernard Shaw play that had been left unfinished at the time of Shaw’s death, but was prevented from publishing it by the Public Trustee. Britton enlisted Russell’s support against the decision. Barber was with the Society of Authors. <b>Note:</b> series number 832 was not used.

Independent Labour Party

Series includes letters from Independent Labour Party members, invitations for Russell to lecture at meetings, a news clipping, and other letters relating to general matters of the ILP. Also includes Russell's 1919 ILP membership card; he had joined the ILP in 1917. Acquired as part of Archives 1.

Press abuse

Series consists of correspondence with newspapers with which Russell had complaints for statements made about him. Russell's letters include requests for apologies and statements to be published in newspapers. Some letters are written by Ralph Schoenman or Chris Farley. Outgoing correspondence consists of typescript copies. Acquired as part of Archives 1.

The Pauling row

Series relates to Russell's vigorous support for Linus Pauling, who had been criticized (along with Edward Teller) in an article by Bentley Glass for offering political opinions. The article, 'Scientists in Politics', had been published in the May 1962 issue of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Series consists of correspondence with Pauling, Joseph Rotblat, Eugene Rabinowitch (the founder of the Bulletin), and Bentley Glass. Also included is the May 1962 issue of the Bulletin. Acquired as part of Archives 1.

See also the file "Directors and Advisers" in series 350, BRPF Branch Offices, for a small collection of correspondence with Pauling as well as statements and offprints that he authored. His letters reveal his opinions regarding the membership of certain American scientists in the Pugwash Conference following the publication of Glass' article.

Radio and television requests

Series consists of correspondence and other documents regarding Russell's radio broadcasts and television appearances, primarily with the BBC, but also including US networks ABC, CBS and NBC; Canada’s CBC; Australia’s ABC; Polskie Radio, Radio Free Europe, and many others. The BBC material includes a file on “The Life and Times of Bertrand Russell”, a 92nd birthday tribute; it contains a script, shot lists, and other documents relating to the May, 1964 broadcast, featuring Robert Bolt (interviewer), A.J. Ayer, Robert Boothby, Michael Foot, Julian Huxley, Miles Malleson and Leonard Woof. Also included are letters regarding a 1959 broadcast relating to Wisdom of the West, and correspondence with journalists such as Alistair Cooke, Kenneth Harris and Woodrow Wyatt. Most of the series was acquired with Archives 1, with a few additional items acquired with Archives 2.

BRPF: Printed material

This small series consists of a collection printed materials and Russell's handwritten notes relating to the Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation and the Atlantic Peace Foundation. Includes:

A typed list of "Advisers" and "Scientific Advisers" to the BRPF. A typed copy of an announcement of Russell’s intention to speak at a meeting in Manchester on 28 April 1965. Notes on "Policy of the Foundation" in Russell’s hand. A brochure on the BRPF Statement by Russell on launching of BRPF; 1 printed copy A brochure detailing the work of the APF; includes a ‘covenant form’; 3 printed copies.
*A booklet outlining the work of the BRPF, marked "confidential"

The series was acquired as part of Archives 1.

Publishers' contracts

Series consists of approximately 90 publishers contracts of which most are from the publishers listed in series 410, and several letters relating to the contracts. Also includes other financial documents, such as a list of Russell's earnings in 1950.

Labour Party

Series consists of letters from the Labour Party relating to Russell's participation in the House of Lords and his membership in the Labour Party, circulars, the annual report for 1962, an official response to Russell's resignation as a party member in 1965 due to policy regarding Vietnam, and six of Russell's Labour Party membership cards dated between 1951 and 1964. Russell had contested the Chelsea riding for Labour in 1922.

World government, 1953-1965

Series consists of correspondence, circulars, meeting minutes, invitations, news clippings, statements, and booklets relating to Russell's interest in world government, and his engagement with groups such as the Parliamentary Group for World Government, Parliamentary Association for World Government, and World Association of Parliamentarians for World Government. Letters from Russell are typescript copies. Some of the material dated 1955 overlaps with series 600 Peace Activities.

The Family Planning Association and related correspondence

Series consists of correspondence, news clippings, statements, copies of various journals, printed essays, pamphlets, bulletins, and articles illustrating Russell's interest in and support of birth control. Among the more voluminous publications are issues of the bulletin News of Population and Birth Control from 1956-1965 and of the journal Family Planning from Dec. 1952 until Dec. 1963, which are filed at the end of the series. Letters from Russell are typescript copies; includes some drafts. Acquired as part of Archives 1.

Nuclear disarmament

Series consists of material reflecting Russell’s activity and leadership with such groups as the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), the Committee of 100, and other peace organizations and protest groups. Included are correspondence, drafted and official statements, news clippings, forms, and minutes as well as copies of booklets, leaflets, flyers, circular letters, and bulletins. Includes correspondence with Canon L. John Collins, among others. Correspondence of Russell’s secretary, Ralph Schoenmann, who was heavily involved in the formation of the Committee of 100, is also included. Letters from Russell are typescript copies.

Acquired with both Archives 1 and Archives 2. The print Archives 2 finding aid reads in part: “Beginning in 1962, these files continue the CND files of Archives I. then there is a file of detailed draft and official statements concerning the split between Russell and Canon Collins. Russell subsequently resigned from CND. The files continue with Committee of 100 documents--letters, statements, mimeographed minutes, etc.--ending shortly after Russell's resignation as President of the Committee early in 1963. A second box is full of leaflets and other printed ephemera.”

BRPF: British-Vietnam Committee

The series was acquired with Archives 2, the print finding aid for which states: “This Committee's interest in the Vietnam War predated Russell's, and it appears from the first letters that Russell was stimulated into making his first public statement on the question by the Committee's Bulletin. The correspondence was regularly with the Committee's Honorary Secretary, Hilda Vernon.”

Includes essays, leaflets, circulars, bulletins and correspondence relating to the Vietnam War. Letters from Russell and his staff are typescript copies.

Heads of State

Series consists predominately of correspondence with heads of state and other political leaders in various countries relating to issues of international politics, including the Cuban missile crisis, the Sino-Indian border dispute, the war in Vietnam, Arab-Israeli relations, etc. Among the correspondents are Chou En-lai (Zhou Enlai) of China, Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Ayub Khan and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan, Nikita Krushchev of the USSR, Secretary General U Thant of the United Nations, Ho Chi Minh of Vietnam, and many others. Letters from Russell and his staff are typescript copies.

By 1963, the Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation had been established, and the affairs of the BRPF are also reflected here. Accordingly, there is some overlap with the BRPF series (311 onward). There is also overlap with series 640 World Affairs. The files are arranged alphabetically by name of country, and also include material relating to the United Nations.

Series was acquired as part of Archives 1.

Russell's dictation

Series consists of drafts of correspondence and of articles dictated by Russell to his wife, Edith, and handwritten by her. Most of the letters in this series are also related to correspondence in other series. Some replies are brief, such as those pertaining to meetings or those which merely acknowledge the receipt of letters. Also includes replies pertaining to Russell's peace activities, editorial letters, and letters relating to his opinions on morals, religion, family life, etc. Acquired as part of Archives 1 and 2. As noted in the print finding aid for Archives 2, "It is ... a very useful source of information, not least for being arranged chronologically."

Pugwash movement

Series consists of correspondence, 1956-1966, the published proceedings of the 2nd-13th Pugwash Conferences, reports of various Conferences, agendas and minutes of the 1st-3rd and 10th Conferences, as well as minutes of some Pugwash Continuing Committee meetings. Other printed materials include news clippings, booklets, offprints, statements, and two published histories of the Pugwash movement, including ‘The Pugwash Movement: Its History and Aim’, London, 1960 (in box 1.39). Of particular note is the correspondence between Russell and Cyrus Eaton, the primary financier of the Pugwash Conferences; correspondence with Conference co-founder Joseph Rotblat; and letters written by Lady Edith Russell and Anne Eaton. Letters from Russell are typescript copies. The Pugwash Conferences were an outgrowth of the Russell-Einstein Manifesto, bringing international scientists together to reflect on the social consequences of their work; the first Conference took place in 1957; Russell was not in attendance. Most of this series was acquired as part of Archives 1, with additional items acquired with Archives 2.

World affairs

Series relates to Russell’s involvement in international affairs, especially regarding issues of peace. By 1963, the Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation had been established, and the affairs of the BRPF are also reflected here. Accordingly, there is some overlap with the BRPF series (311 onward). There is also overlap with series 640 Heads of State. The files are arranged alphabetically by name of country, and also include material relating to the United Nations. The U.S.A. files are the most voluminous and include sub-sections relating to ‘The Fallout Suits’ (Linus Pauling), the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the Anti-Goldwater Campaign, and the International War Crimes Tribunal.

Included are correspondence (including letters to editors), circular letters, statements, news clippings, reports, speeches, leaflets, interviews, and newsletters; letters from Russell are typescript copies. Acquired as part of Archives 1.

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