Bertrand Russell in Estonia

Abstract

This essay presents first what we know about Russell’s visit to Tallinn (Reval), Estonia, during his trip to Russia in 1920. Unnoticed by his biographers, Russell spent over a week in Estonia (9–11 May and 16–23 June). Secondly, Russell’s personal and intellectual connections with Estonia, including his frequent mentions of the Baltic Barons such as Count Keyserling and jokes about Estonians, will be revealed. These are followed by his involvement with Clifford Allen in Estonia and Dora Black’s visit there. Finally, a once-secret British Government memorandum on the relations between Russia and the Baltic States will be pointed out.