A Classic Example Of Russell's Sardonic Humour

A classic example of Russell's sardonic humour

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“I was told that the Chinese said they would bury me by the Western Lake and build a shrine to my memory. I have some slight regret that this did not happen, as I might have become a god, which would have been very chic for an atheist.“

-Bertrand Russell, The Autobiography of Bertrand Russell (1967–1969), Ch. X: China, p. 365

Background: Russell in China

In the early 1920s, Bertrand Russell was a visiting Professor of Philosophy at Peking University where his courses on mathematical logic enthralled students and listeners, including a young Mao Tse Tung, who attended some of Russell's lectures (there is no evidence the two ever meet nor is it known if Russell was aware of Mao being present years later). Russell highly respected Chinese history and philosophy and can even be viewed as a sinophile (a person who demonstrates a strong interest in China, Chinese culture, Chinese language, Chinese history, and/or Chinese people). However, he was not without deep reservations especially:

“If the Chinese were to adopt the Western philosophy of life, they would, as soon as they had made themselves safe against foreign aggression, embark upon aggression on their own account.“

Before leaving China Russell became gravely ill with a late case of influenza, and incorrect reports of his death were published in the Japanese press. The influenza pandemic of 1918 -1920 claimed the lives of 17 million to 50 million people, and possibly as many as 100 million, making it one of the deadliest pandemics in world history. When Bertrand Russell and Dora Black (later his second wife) visited Japan on their return journey, she took on the role of spurning the Imperial press by personally handing out death notices reading:

“Mr. Bertrand Russell, having died according to the Japanese press, is unable to give interviews to Japanese journalists.“

The Imperial Japanese press found her dry British humour harsh and reacted resentfully.