Ernest Gellner
Philosopher and anthropologist who theorised nationalism and critiqued linguistic philosophy.
Ernest André Gellner (9 December 1925 – 5 November 1995) was a philosopher and social anthropologist born in Paris to German-speaking Austrian Jewish parents from Bohemia. His work centered on modernization and nationalism, and he created a major theory of nationalism. Growing up across cultures gave him a multicultural outlook that let him analyze both Western and Muslim societies.
His first book, *Words and Things* (1959), attacked linguistic philosophy. It prompted a lead article in *The Times* and a month of reader correspondence. Gellner spent 22 years as Professor of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method at the London School of Economics (1962–1984), then nine years as William Wyse Professor of Social Anthropology at Cambridge (1984–1993), and from 1993 until his death in 1995 served as founding director of the Centre for the Study of Nationalism at the Central European University in Prague. Through his writing, teaching, and activism, he fought against what he saw as closed systems of thought. After his death, *The Independent* called him a "one-man crusader for critical rationalism," and *The Daily Telegraph* described him as one of the world's most vigorous intellectuals.
Gellner was born in Paris to Anna (née Fantl) and Rudolf, a lawyer. Both were German-speaking Austrian Jews from Bohemia, then part of Czechoslovakia. His uncle was Julius Gellner. Raised in Prague, he attended a Czech primary school and then an English-language grammar school. He later described the city as Franz Kafka’s tricultural Prague—antisemitic but "stunningly beautiful"—a place he missed for years.
In 1939, when Gellner was 13, Hitler’s rise forced his family to flee to St Albans, north of London. There he attended St Albans Boys Modern School (now Verulam School). At 17, he won a scholarship to Balliol College, Oxford, thanks, he said, to "Portuguese colonial policy," which kept "the natives peaceful by getting able ones from below into Balliol."
At Oxford he studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics, focusing on philosophy. After one year he interrupted his studies to serve with the 1st Czechoslovak Armoured Brigade during the Siege of Dunkirk (1944–45). He then returned to Prague for half a term at university. There, foreseeing a communist takeover, he lost his emotional attachment to the city. He recalled a communist poster reading "Everyone with a clean shield
- born
- 9 December 1925, Paris, France
- died
- 5 November 1995, Prague, Czech Republic
- field
- Philosophy, social anthropology
- nationality
- French-born British (of Austrian Jewish descent)
- known_for
- Gellner's theory of nationalism, critique of linguistic philosophy
Lore & Background
Gellner was born in Paris to an urban intellectual German-speaking Austrian Jewish couple from Bohemia. He was brought up in Prague, attending a Czech language primary school before entering an English-language grammar school. In 1939, his family left Czechoslovakia for St Albans, England, due to the rise of Adolf Hitler. At 17, he won a scholarship to Balliol College, Oxford, studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics. He interrupted his studies to serve with the 1st Czechoslovak Armoured Brigade at the Siege of Dunkirk, then returned to Prague for half a term before foreseeing a communist takeover and returning to England.
He began his academic career at the University of Edinburgh in 1947, then moved to the London School of Economics in 1949. His first book, Words and Things (1959), sparked a leading article in The Times and a month-long correspondence on his analytical critique of linguistic philosophy. He obtained his Ph.D. in 1961 and became Professor of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method at LSE the following year. He later served as William Wyse Professor of Social Anthropology at Cambridge and headed the new Centre for the Study of Nationalism in Prague.
Reader's Guide
Gellner's significance lies in his development of a leading theory of nationalism and his sustained critique of closed systems of thought, particularly linguistic philosophy. His work Words and Things attacked the dominant ordinary language philosophy of his time, sparking public debate. Throughout his career, in writing, teaching and political activism, he challenged what he saw as closed systems of thought. At his death, The Independent called him a 'one-man crusader for critical rationalism', and The Daily Telegraph called him one of the world's most vigorous intellectuals. His multicultural perspective, shaped by his upbringing in Prague and later life in England, allowed him to engage with both the Western world and the Muslim world. His later works, including Plough, Sword and Book and Conditions of Liberty, investigated the philosophy of history and the collapse of socialism. He was elected to the British Academy in 1974 and was a member of both the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society.
Did You Know?
- Gellner's first book, Words and Things (1959), sparked a leading article in The Times and a month-long correspondence.
- He served with the 1st Czechoslovak Armoured Brigade during the Siege of Dunkirk (1944–45).
- He was famously popular with his students, willing to spend many extra hours a day tutoring them.
- He died of a heart attack at his flat in Prague after returning from a conference in Budapest.
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