His mother had studied mathematics at Oxford University, being one of the early women undergraduates, while the famous mathematician and philosopher, Alfred North Whitehead, was his uncle.
Kanyang ina ay may-aral ng matematika sa Oxford University, na ang isa sa mga unang bahagi ng mga kababaihan undergraduates, habang ang mga bantog na dalubbilang at pilosopo, Alfred North Whitehead, ay kanyang tiyuhin.