Bertrand Russell

Mathematician / Philosopher

While teaching mathematics at Cambridge Bertrand Russell and Alfred North Whitehead published Principia Mathematica (1910-13), an ambitious attempt to prove that mathematics was grounded in logic. Russell's ideas led to the dominance of analytical logic on western philosophy in the 20th century. An active social reformer, he also wrote on politics, religion and education, and his vocal protests against World War I led to a brief jail sentence in 1918. Although he supported British aims in World War II, later in life Russell became an outspoken advocate of nuclear disarmament.

Extra credit: Russell's grandfather was a two-time Prime Minister...when his brother died in 1931, Russell became 3rd Earl of Russell...he won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1950...he was married four times and had a reputation as a ladies' man.