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'''Bertrand Russell''' (1872–1970) was a 20th century philosopher, mathematician and atheist<ref>His own characterization: "I never know whether I should say 'Agnostic' or whether I should say 'Atheist'.... As a philosopher, if I were speaking to a purely philosophic audience I should say that I ought to describe myself as an Agnostic, because I do not think that there is a conclusive argument by which one [can] prove that there is not a God. On the other hand, if I am to convey the right impression to the ordinary man in the street I think I ought to say that I am an Atheist, because when I say that I cannot prove that there is not a God, I ought to add equally that I cannot prove that there are not the Homeric gods." Russell, Bertrand (1947) "Am I An Atheist Or An Agnostic?"[http://www.luminary.us/russell/atheist_agnostic.html] Most online sources say "by which one prove," probably a mistake.</ref> and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1950 for his writings.

'''Bertrand Russell''' (1872–1970) was a 20th century philosopher, mathematician,socialist,and atheist<ref>His own characterization: "I never know whether I should say 'Agnostic' or whether I should say 'Atheist'.... As a philosopher, if I were speaking to a purely philosophic audience I should say that I ought to describe myself as an Agnostic, because I do not think that there is a conclusive argument by which one [can] prove that there is not a God. On the other hand, if I am to convey the right impression to the ordinary man in the street I think I ought to say that I am an Atheist, because when I say that I cannot prove that there is not a God, I ought to add equally that I cannot prove that there are not the Homeric gods." Russell, Bertrand (1947) "Am I An Atheist Or An Agnostic?"[http://www.luminary.us/russell/atheist_agnostic.html] Most online sources say "by which one prove," probably a mistake.</ref> and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1950 for his writings.

Russell visited the Soviet Union and met Lenin in 1920. In a tract, ''The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism'', he wrote "I believe that Communism is necessary to the world, and I believe ... [[Bolshevism]] deserves the gratitude and admiration of all the progressive part of mankind."<ref>http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17350/17350-h/17350-h.htm</ref>  The tract was reissued in a censored form in 1949.

Russell visited the Soviet Union and met Lenin in 1920. In a tract, ''The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism'' he wrote: The chief thing the Bolshevics have done is create hope...I cannot share the hopes of the Bolshevics any more than those of the Egyptian anchorites; I regard both as tragic delusions, destined to bring upon the world centuries of darkness and futile violence. I do not know whether Bolshevism can be prevented from aquiring universal power. But even if i cannot, I am persuaded that those who stand against it...will be the bearers of the seeds of progress."

His most significant early work was a three-volume attempt to derive all mathematical principles from a well-defined set of axioms and inference rules in symbolic logic, entitled ''Principia Mathematica'' (1910-1913).  He published this work with [[Alfred North Whitehead]]. Although the ''Principia'' is widely considered by one of the most important and seminal works in logic and philosophy, part of its success was in inspiring others to question its propositions. In 1931, [[Kurt Godel]] proved that what Russell attempted could not possibly be both consistent and complete.

His most significant early work was a three-volume attempt to derive all mathematical principles from a well-defined set of axioms and inference rules in symbolic logic, entitled ''Principia Mathematica'' (1910-1913).  He published this work with [[Alfred North Whitehead]]. Although the ''Principia'' is widely considered by one of the most important and seminal works in logic and philosophy, part of its success was in inspiring others to question its propositions. In 1931, [[Kurt Godel]] proved that what Russell attempted could not possibly be both consistent and complete.

During the [[Cold War]] he advocated nuclear disarmament, even if it were unilateral on the part of Western powers, a stance which some people mocked as "better Red than dead".

During the [[Cold War]] he advocated, with Albert Einstein, nuclear disarmament, even if it were unilateral on the part of Western powers, a stance which some people mocked as "better Red than dead".