The Principles of Mathematics. Volume 1.

RUSSELL, Bertrand.

$2,500.00

Item Number: 97331

Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1903.

First edition of Russell’s groundbreaking work. Quarto, original cloth. From the library of philosopher Augusta Klein, with her annotations. Augusta Klein was an author and philosopher; co-author with William Ralph Boyce Gibson of The Problem of Logic. In near fine condition.

During his days at Trinity College, Cambridge, Russell began an intense study of the foundations of mathematics, in which he discovered "Russell's paradox," challenging the foundations of set theory. In 1903 he finished work the first volume of The Principles of Mathematics, intending to complete the project in a second volume where he planned to cover "a symbolic account of the assimilation of mathematics to logic. "After finding out that his mentor, Alfred North Whitehead, planned to publish a work with practically the same subject matter, he decided to collaborate with him instead (thus the second volume was never published).