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Highly influential Austrian-British philosopher (1889?1951) whose greatest contributions were in the fields of logic, philosophy of mathematics, and language. Significant autograph letter in German written by Ludwig Wittgenstein, one page both sides, 8.25 x 6.75, no date [circa August 1924], likely written in Puchberg. In view of the crossing out and lack of a formal signature, it appears to be a letter in draft form from Ludwig Wittgenstein to a school inspector, who had recommended that Wittgenstein negotiate his position in the school in Otterthal with its headmaster. In the letter, Wittgenstein pleads to be put in charge of advanced classes, which he finds more suitable to himself than the elementary classes he had been offered. In fine condition, with a central vertical fold.
Having completed his groundbreaking Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus in August 1918, and publishing German and English versions in the years that followed, Wittgenstein worked as a gardener in a monastery in 1920 and later took up teaching at primary schools in remote rural villages in Austria. He applied initially for these teaching positions under false names because he did not want to be recognized as being part of the famous and wealthy Wittgenstein family. In September 1924, he moved to Otterthal, where he would write the only other book published during his lifetime, a children's dictionary, in addition to his 75-page Tractatus.
Wittgenstein remains rare across all handwritten formats, especially so in autograph letters, which are of the utmost scarcity.
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