A large archive of letters written weekly over a span of 42 years, with enclosures of Kreisel's own writings and that of others, including articles, interviews, and printed material as well as copies of letters from or to others (including Francis Crick), covering topics in mathematics and philosophy, and including reflections on Ludwig Wittgenstein, Kurt Gödel, and Bertrand Russell.
Faure, Hubert (1919-2020), Otis Elevator Company PresidentBelieves that nothing he says really interests Sraffa. Thinks that Sraffa likes to discuss things with him because he is persistent and clever, but their discussion lacks the enjoyment which is the oil that lubricates it.
Thinks that they have given each other all that they can; Wittgenstein has learnt an enormous amount from Sraffa but has learnt from him all that he can presently absorb.
Has written out his thoughts for Sraffa as promised; has to lecture tomorrow but physically very low; wishes to see Sraffa before he goes down.
'The error is to regard intuitions as a provisional substitute for science...'
Missed Sraffa on Sunday; sketched out some thoughts which he will write up when he can.
In response to note from Wittgenstein, with criticism of Wittgenstein's method of discussion.
In response to note from Wittgenstein, with criticism of Wittgenstein's method of discussion.
Good discussions between Wittgenstein and Sraffa would result only if Wittgenstein wrote things down in advance.
Asks Sraffa why he thinks the Austrians will not do most of the things that the Germans did. Wittgenstein does not know what there is to be learnt from events in Italy. Sraffa is not helpful in discussion.
Arrangements for dinner; wants to talk to Sraffa about vivisection.
Typescript extracts from David Pinsent's diary in a ring binder describing, among other things, two holidays with Ludwig Wittgenstein in Iceland and Norway. With a short biography of Pinsent written by his sister Lady Adrian at the front.
Adrian, Dame Hester Agnes (1899-1966), mental health administrator and prison reformer59 Redcliffe Road, London, SW10.—Is hoping to get coaching work at Cambridge, with help from Littlewood and other mathematical dons. Coaching would have to be very bad to compare unfavourably with the situation in London since the September Crisis. He did not know that Wittgenstein had succeeded Moore [as Professor of Mental Philosophy and Logic at Cambridge]. ‘One feels that, but for [F. P.] Ramsey’s death, W. would have been confined to his proper sphere.’
Suggests Sraffa researches 'Kemp-Smith's clue'; has no doubt that Wittgenstein will be able to be naturalised.
c/o Prof. [Herbert] Grierson, 12 Regents Terrace. Edinburgh. - Encloses a cheque for expenses and 'fee as designer and scene-painter' [for a recent production of Robert's "Meleager"]: Julian did 'a great deal of work' and 'the result was very successful'. Will also send a cheque. Has just read his paper on metre, which seemed to go all right with 'a fog-diminished audience'. Bessie is at Welcombe; will join her there next week then go abroad. Has not yet heard from [Umberto] Morra, but will probably visit him first, then go to Aulla [to see the Waterfields] around the time Julian comes out. May get [Hasan] Suhrawardy to come out with him, but is not sure. Sorry that [Arthur?] Waley is 'trying to get out of his heresies [ie, of giving a paper to the Heretics Society]; wonders how Wittgenstein's paper went; asks if 'Francis B.' [possibly Birrell?] is going to read a paper despite an initial refusal.
Glad that Julian can see no difficulty with the idea of putting a tomb in the right wing [of the scenery for Robert's "Meleager"]; does not want him to alter the backcloth with the three tombs. Likes his suggestion of putting the shrine in the painted side-cloth on the opposite wing, but must discuss it with Mrs [Penelope] Wheeler when they rehearse again on Wednesday; suspects she may think it is too important to be 'a mere painting half-hidden in the side-wing', but she may appreciate the extra room it would give for movement on stage. Glad Julian has a place to paint; he should not worry about the canvasses being late. The first performance is on 7 November; expects they will all go to Oxford for rehearsals three days before. 'So you have seen Wittgenstein, and survive!'. Likes him himself, though sees 'one could easily have too much of him', and 'the younger generation don't seem to be able to put up with him'; a shame he is 'always so serious'. Julian seems to have 'got together a good team of Heretics' [speakers for the Heretics Society]. Will certainly go to the L[ondon] G[roup exhibition]; had no idea Julian had sent anything. Sorry he will not be able to come to Cambridge on 23 October, because of rehearsals, but will come another time. If Julian thinks it necessary, he should send a small sketch of his idea for the side-cloth with the tomb; would also like to see one for the opposite wing showing the shrine if they decide on it, but that can wait. Went to see Shaw's "Apple Cart" and thought it 'very good fun', with 'the politics not very serious, and certainly not offensive'.
The material from the first accession is made up of letters and papers from two of Sraffa's most notable Cambridge correspondents, John Maynard Keynes (items 1 to 89) and Ludwig Wittgenstein (items 90 to 144). Those from Keynes to Sraffa include letters concerning their collaboration in an edition of Hume's Abstract of a treatise on human nature, and attempts to ensure Sraffa's release from interment. Those papers relating to Wittgenstein include tantalizing glimpses of his intellectual relationship with Sraffa.
The material from the second accession contains correspondence and papers giving useful biographical information about various parts of Sraffa's life. This material is arranged as follows: birth/residence certificates (145-148); documents relating to Sraffa;s refusal of the title of Cavaliere nell'Ordine della Corona d'Italia (149-155); article for the Manchester Guardian and its aftermath (156-162); attempts to enter Britain in 1920s (163-166); 1926 Economic Journal article (167-168); family renunciation of Jewish lineage (169-171); Angelo Sraffa and Milan and Bocconi Universities (172-173); death of Angelo Sraffa and subsequent events (174-180a); papers relating to Sraffa's internment and the offer of a post at the New School (181-215); correspondence on various matters (216-229); miscellaneous papers (230-234).
Sraffa, Piero (1898-1983), economistincludes additions and amendments in the hand of Skinner and remarks in the hand of Wittgenstein. Contains a considerable amount of material not included in the version published by Blackwell