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The reputation of Bertrand Russell (1872–1970), the third Earl Russell, as one of the greatest thinkers of the twentieth century has only increased with time. In a massive and seminal series of publications in the early years of the last century Russell transformed logic and placed it at the centre of philosophic inquiry. The impact of these, and later works in which he confronted other fundamental problems of philosophy, has been profound, even on scholars who have disputed his conclusions. In a parallel intellectual life as social critic, political thinker and humanist, meanwhile, Russell addressed many issues of vital import to the history of the twentieth century: nationalism and imperialism, modern industrialism, Soviet Communism, and the nuclear peril, to name but a few.
