Prof. Gilbert Murray Honoured [1951]

This short tribute to Gilbert Murray (1866–1957) was read in absentia at a special dinner for the distinguished classical scholar and veteran liberal internationalist at London’s Rembrandt Hotel on 11 September 1951. More than 170 guests attended this gathering of the Philosophical Society of England, but Russell, as one of Murray’s oldest friends, was conspicuous by his absence. His message was quoted in a report of the event in the next day’s Manchester Guardian, p. 10 (B&R C51.32). It was subsequently reprinted in the society’s own journal, The Philosopher: “Dinner in Honour of Professor Gilbert Murray”, n.s. 3 (Dec. 1951): 94. Murray was “greatly touched” (12 Sept. 1951, ra rec. acq. 71i) by this praise from his friend, which Russell also wrote as Patron of the Philosophical Society—an honorary position he had held since 1948 (see also App. II).