The Cancellation of Bertrand Russell

In 1940 , Bertrand Russell was appointed Professor of Philosophy at the College of the City of New York by unanimous vote of the Board of Higher Education .

But within scarcely a month , the New York Supreme Court ordered the Board to revoke Russell’s appointment.

John Dewey noted that, although the Russell case was closed, “the issue underlying it is no more settled than the Dred Scott case settled the slavery issue”.

Russell’s case had become a casus belli for many in the academy, writes Julian Zelizer .

Zelizer: The Board of Higher Education was divided over the decision, but a narrow majority voted to appeal the decision.

He says the Board had in effect established a “chair of indecency” while revealing “moral standards lower than common decency requires” Zelizer says.

Presidents of leading institutions of higher education expressed dismay at McGeehan ’s decision.

Russell case should be a cautionary tale. We forget our history at our own peril. We have yet to fully embrace the unfettered pursuit of truth in our universities. Today , it is unorthodox views about race and gender that have doomed many academic careers..