Bertrand Russell · Adolf Hitler Were Bertrand Russell and Adolf Hitler alive at the same time? Yes. Bertrand Russell and Adolf Hitler were alive at the same time for 56 years, from 1889 to 1945. Bertrand Russell was 16 when Adolf Hitler was born.Bertrand Russell was 72 when Adolf Hitler died, aged 56. Bertrand RussellBritish philosopher and logicianBorn 18 May 1872 · died 2 February 1970, aged 97Adolf HitlerDictator of Germany from 1933 to 1945Born 20 April 1889 · died 30 April 1945, aged 56 Mahatma GandhiVladimir LeninBertrand RussellAlbert EinsteinAdolf HitlerRonald ReaganNelson MandelaDonald TrumpMichael JacksonBarack Obama Bertrand Russell and Adolf Hitler in bold, with some of their best-known contemporaries. Drag across to see the age each reached in any year. Faded ends mark uncertain dates.