Lavrentyev Mikhail Alekseevich - biography. Russian Mathematician Hero of Socialist Labor. Mikhail Lavrentiev

		Memorial plaque in Kyiv (on the house where he lived)
		Bust in Novosibirsk
		Memorial plaque in Novosibirsk
		Memorial plaque in Novosibirsk
		Tombstone
		Annotation sign in Novosibirsk (type 1)
		Annotation sign in Novosibirsk (type 2)

L Avrentyev Mikhail Alekseevich - Vice-President of the USSR Academy of Sciences, Chairman of the Presidium of the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences, Academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences.
Born on November 6 (19), 1900 in the city of Kazan (Republic of Tatarstan) in the family of a mathematics teacher at a technical educational institution (later a professor of mechanics, first at Kazan, then at Moscow University). Russian.
In 1910-1911, together with his father, he was in the city of Göttingen (Germany), where he studied at school. In 1918 he graduated from the Kazan Commercial School and entered the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics of Kazan University. In 1920-1921, simultaneously with his studies, he worked at Kazan University as a laboratory assistant in the Mechanical Room and as a teacher.
In 1921 he moved to Moscow and transferred to the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics of Moscow State University, from which he graduated in 1922. In 1921-1929 he taught at the Moscow Higher Technical School (now MSTU named after N.E. Bauman).
In 1927, he defended his dissertation for the degree of candidate of physical and mathematical sciences and was sent to France for six months for scientific improvement. Upon returning to Moscow at the end of 1927, he was elected privat-docent of Moscow State University and a member of the Moscow Mathematical Society. I started teaching a course at Moscow State University on the theory of conformal mappings (transformations of space that preserve the magnitude of angles). Since 1927, he took up the problem, important for applications, of approximating functions of a complex variable (more simple functions– polynomials). The beginning of his research on the theory of quasiconformal (close to conformal) mappings dates back to the same time, which was explained by the urgent needs of aerodynamics at increased speeds: the incompressible fluid model used at low flight speeds ceased to be valid. In 1928, as part of the Soviet delegation, he participated in the International Mathematical Congress in Bologna (Italy) with a report on quasiconformal mappings.
In 1929-1935 – senior engineer of the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute named after N.E. Zhukovsky (TsAGI). The interests of M.A. Lavrentiev and his group included such sections of hydro-aerodynamics as the theory of an oscillating wing, the movement of a wing under the surface of a heavy liquid, the impact of a solid body on water, the construction of a flow around an arc of a given shape, and a number of others. The results obtained were subsequently used, in particular, in solving the flutter problem. Was found general method solving the problem of flow around thin airfoils of arbitrary shape; It is shown that the wing in the shape of a circular arc has the greatest lifting force. Applied problems stimulated further research on the theory of variational principles of conformal mappings.
In 1929-1931 – head of the department, professor at the Moscow Institute of Chemical Technology. Since 1931 - professor at Moscow State University. Without defending a dissertation (in total scientific works) in 1934 he was awarded the academic degree of Doctor of Technical Sciences, and in 1935 - Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.
Since 1935 - senior researcher at the Steklov Mathematical Institute of the USSR Academy of Sciences. Headed the department of function theory and trained a large number of students who later became outstanding scientists. By the mid-1930s, he became the generally recognized head of the Soviet school of theory of functions of a complex variable.
Since 1939 - Director of the Institute of Mathematics of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR in Kyiv. He continued his studies in the theory of functions of a complex variable and its applications. In Ukraine, he began research related to the mechanics of explosions. In 1939-1941 and 1945-1948 - professor at the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics of Kyiv State University.
During the Great Patriotic War together with the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, he was evacuated to Ufa. In 1941-1944 he headed the mathematics department of the United Institute of Physics and Mathematics of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR. The scientists he headed carried out mathematical calculations on the strength of structural parts of aircraft engines and other mechanisms used for military purposes. He continued his research in the field of the theory of functions of a complex variable and the theory of explosion, paying special attention to cumulative explosions. Assuming that when high temperatures materials behave like viscous liquids, developed the hydrodynamic theory of cumulation. He successfully solved a number of military engineering problems and participated in the creation of a domestic cumulative projectile. When studying the characteristics of cumulation, the phenomenon of explosion welding of metals was discovered, which received wide application further.
In February 1945 he returned from evacuation to Kyiv, and until 1949 he continued to head the Institute of Mathematics of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR. In 1945-1948 - Vice-President of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR. In connection with the problem of sinking captured sea vessels, he studied the effects of an underwater explosion. He conducted an experimental test of the theory he developed at the academic base of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR in the Kyiv suburb of Feofaniya. The formation of cumulative jets was discovered, which are formed when a cavity from the explosion products collapses in water. The idea of using cord charges based on “wet gunpowder” dates back to the same period, which turned out to be a suitable means for laying trenches, cutting metals, and organizing directed explosions. Researched equations mixed type, describing gas flows in regions of transition through the speed of sound, proposed using the model equation instead of the well-known Tricomi equation linear equation mixed type.
In 1947, he made a report at a session of the USSR Academy of Sciences on the ways of development of Soviet mathematics (published in 1948). Special attention focused on computational mathematics and technology, and called for the speedy creation of an institute computer technology. In 1949 he moved from Kyiv to Moscow and in 1950 he was elected director of the Institute of Precision Mechanics and Computer Science (established in 1948 in Moscow). The Institute, in the shortest possible time, created the first samples of domestic electronic calculating machines - the ancestors of domestic computer technology. At the same time, he was involved in work on the creation of atomic weapons in the USSR. He headed this institute until 1953.
In 1951-1953, he was simultaneously an academician-secretary of the Department of Physical and Mathematical Sciences of the USSR Academy of Sciences and a professor at Moscow State University. During this period, a new higher education institution was created on the basis of Moscow State University. educational institution– Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), which played an important role in training highly qualified personnel for new branches of science and technology that emerged in the post-war years. At this institute he founded a specialization in the theory of explosions, and in 1955-1958 he headed the department of physics of fast processes.
In 1953-1955 - deputy scientific director of KB-11 (Nuclear Center in Arzamas-16), in 1955-1957 he continued to work at KB-11 part-time. Together with N.N. Bogolyubov, he headed the work on numerical modeling of atomic weapons. Then, together with V.S. Vladimirov, L.V. Ovsyanikov and D.V. Shirkov, he developed atomic shells for artillery, which provided the possibility of using atomic weapons on the battlefield.
In 1955 he was elected to the Presidium of the USSR Academy of Sciences, and in 1955-1957 he was again academician-secretary of the Department of Physical and Mathematical Sciences of the USSR Academy of Sciences.
In 1957, he put forward (together with S.A. Khristianovich and S.L. Sobolev) the idea of creating scientific complexes in Siberia, in places of particularly intensive industrial development and Agriculture. This idea was supported by a number of prominent scientists. On May 18, 1957, a government decision was made to create the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences in Novosibirsk and M.A. Lavrentiev became its chairman. He headed the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences until 1975 (then he was its Honorary Chairman). The Siberian branch has become widely known throughout the world, has proven itself not only with a series of fundamental developments, but also with their application to the most vital tasks of the development of Siberia, Far East and the European part of the country.
The first in the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences, in the same 1957, was the Institute of Hydrodynamics, the organizer and director of which was M.A. Lavrentiev. He has the choice organizational structure institute, its scientific problems, giving them both exploratory and applied character, determining the appropriate combination of fundamental research with national economic tasks. He headed the institute until 1976.
With his active participation, Novosibirsk State University was created (it was organized in 1958, the first academic year started in September 1959). The basis for student practice was the scientific institutes of the Novosibirsk Academic Town. Gave lectures in Novosibirsk state university, university professor (1959-1966), headed the departments of mathematical analysis (1959-1962) and hydrodynamics (1962-1966).
In Novosibirsk Academgorodok, with the active participation of M.A. Lavrentyev, first a specialized physics and mathematics, and then a chemical boarding school, a club were created young technicians. The official opening of the country's first specialized physics and mathematics boarding school (PMS) at Novosibirsk State University took place in January 1963.
Organizer (in 1961) and chairman of the Scientific Council on the National Economic Use of Explosions at the Presidium of the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences. In 1963-1964 - Chairman of the Science Council under the USSR Council of Ministers.
For outstanding services in the development of science and the organization of the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated April 29, 1967 Lavrentiev Mikhail Alekseevich awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor with the Order of Lenin and the Hammer and Sickle gold medal.
Since 1976 he lived and worked in Moscow. In 1976-1980 - Chairman of the USSR National Committee on Theoretical and Applied Mathematics.
Academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences since 1946, academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR since 1939. In 1957-1975 - Vice-President of the USSR Academy of Sciences, in 1966-1970 - Vice-President of the International Mathematical Union. Full member of the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences (1957), Honorary Member of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (1966), Corresponding Member of the German Academy of Sciences in Berlin (1969), Member of the Finnish Academy of Sciences (1969), Foreign Member of the French Academy of Sciences (1971), Foreign Member of the Polish Academy of Sciences Academy of Sciences (1971).
Died on October 15, 1980 in Moscow. He was buried at the Southern (Cherbuzinsky) cemetery in Novosibirsk.
Awarded 5 Orders of Lenin (1953, 06/1/1956, 11/16/1960, 04/29/1967, 09/17/1975), orders October revolution(11/18/1970), Patriotic War 2nd degree (10/1/1944), 4 orders of the Red Banner of Labor (06/10/1945, 01/23/1948, 1953, 1954), medals, foreign awards - Commander's Cross of the Order of the Legion of Honor (France, 1971), Order of Cyril and Methodius 1st degree (Bulgaria, 1969), medal "50 years of the Mongolian People's Revolution" (Mongolia, 1972).
Lenin Prize (1958), two Stalin Prizes of the 1st degree (1946, 1949). Awarded the Big Gold Medal named after M.V. Lomonosov of the USSR Academy of Sciences (1977). Honorary citizen of Novosibirsk (1970).
Candidate member of the CPSU Central Committee in 1961-1976. Deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of the 5th-9th convocations (in 1958-1979), deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR in 1947-1951.
An avenue in Novosibirsk, streets in Kazan and the city of Dolgoprudny in the Moscow region, mountain peaks in the Pamirs and Altai are named after him. In Novosibirsk, on the avenue bearing his name, there is a bust of M.A. Lavrentiev. The Institute of Hydrodynamics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Specialized Educational and Scientific Center (former physics and mathematics school) at the Novosibirsk State University and the auditorium there, school-college No. 130 in Novosibirsk, and the research vessel of the Russian Academy of Sciences are named after him. Memorial plaques were installed: in Novosibirsk - on the building of the Institute of Hydrodynamics, in Moscow - on the building of the Institute of Precision Mechanics and Computer Science, in Kyiv - on the house in which he lived.
In 1982-1991 there was Golden medal named after M.A. Lavrentyev of the USSR Academy of Sciences (since 1992 - M.A. Lavrentyev Prize of the Russian Academy of Sciences). Scholarships named after M.A. Lavrentiev were established for students of Moscow State University and Novosibirsk State University, as well as the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.
Essays:
Basics of the calculus of variations. In 2 parts (co-authored with L.A. Lyusternik). M.-L., 1935;
Course in calculus of variations (co-authored with L.A. Lyusternik). M.-L., 1938;
Conformal mappings with applications to some problems in mechanics. M.-L., 1946;
Variational method in boundary value problems for systems of equations of elliptic type. M., 1962;
Problems of hydrodynamics and their mathematical models(co-authored with B.V. Shabat). 2nd ed., M., 1977;
...Siberia will grow. 2nd ed. Novosibirsk, 1982;
Methods of the theory of functions of a complex variable (co-authored with B.V. Shabat). 5th ed., M., 1987;
Selected works. Mathematics and mechanics. M., 1990.

Mikhail Lavrentyev was born on November 19, 1900 in the city of Kazan. His father taught at a technical school at that time, and later became a professor of mechanics, first at Kazan and then at Moscow University. Mikhail Alekseevich received his secondary education at the Kazan Commercial School. After graduation, he entered Kazan University. He studied very successfully, and Mikhail Alekseevich’s noticeable passion for mathematics began to show.

In 1921, the Lavrentiev family moved to Moscow. A year later, Mikhail Alekseevich graduated from the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics of Moscow University. At Moscow University, Lavrentiev was part of the “Lusitania” - that was the name of the mathematical school of Professor Nikolai Nikolaevich Luzin. Characteristic feature Nikolai Luzin, as a scientist and teacher, had a constant desire to pose fundamentally new problems, the ability to find new approaches to old problems. During these years, under the leadership of N.N. Luzin, the Moscow mathematical school was formed, from which a whole galaxy of outstanding Soviet mathematicians emerged, including Mikhail Alekseevich Lavrentiev. From 1923 to 1926, Mikhail Alekseevich was a graduate student of N.N. Luzin in the theory of functions of a real variable.

While still a student, Mikhail Lavrentyev began teaching at the Moscow Higher Technical School.

After defending his dissertation in 1927, M.A. Lavrentyev was sent to France for six months for scientific improvement. Communication with prominent French mathematicians Denjoy, Hadamard, Montel, listening to lectures by Goursat, Borel and Julia, participation in seminars on the theory of functions gave Mikhail Alekseevich a lot. During his stay in Paris, Lavrentiev published two works on the theory of functions in the Reports of the French Academy of Sciences.

At the end of 1927, Lavrentiev was elected private associate professor at Moscow University and a member of the Moscow Mathematical Society. At that time, Mikhail Alekseevich read the first course on the theory of conformal mappings at Moscow State University. The beginning of his research on the theory of quasiconformal mappings dates back to the same time.

In 1928, as part of the Soviet delegation, Mikhail Alekseevich participated in the International Mathematical Congress in Bologna, Italy. At the age of about 29, Lavrentyev became the head of the department and received the title of professor at the Moscow Institute of Chemical Technology.

In 1934, Mikhail Alekseevich was awarded the academic degree of Doctor of Technical Sciences, and in 1935 - Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. In the same year he was invited as a senior researcher at the Mathematical Institute. V.A. Steklov of the USSR Academy of Sciences. Lavrentyev worked at the institute for more than 25 years. Mikhail Alekseevich’s influence on this scientific institution remains very noticeable even now. Here he headed the department in which research was carried out in the field of function theory, and here he trained a large number of outstanding scientists. By this time, Mikhail Alekseevich became the generally recognized head of the Soviet school of function theory.

Since 1934, another, unique period of Lavrentiev’s life and work begins - the period of his direct influence on the development of mathematics in various scientific centers Soviet Union. At this time, he was invited to Georgia to give lectures and supervise graduate students.

In 1939, he was elected a full member of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR and director of the Mathematical Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR. In Ukraine, M.A. Lavrentiev’s famous research in the field of explosion was started, and a school was created, which is still working fruitfully. From 1941 to 1945, Mikhail Alekseevich was the head of the Mathematics Department of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR.

During the terrible years of the Great Patriotic War, when all the forces of the people and science were devoted to the front, Mikhail Alekseevich continued research in the field of explosions, successfully solving a number of military engineering problems. In 1945, M.A. Lavrentyev became vice-president of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR. He remained in this post, which marked recognition of Mikhail Alekseevich’s scientific and organizational talent, until 1948.

In 1946, Lavrentiev was elected academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences and was awarded the State Prize for his research in the field of the theory of functions of a complex variable and the creation of the theory of quasiconformal mappings. In 1949, he was awarded the second State Prize for the theory of cumulative jets he created.

In 1947, Mikhail Alekseevich made a report “Ways of development of Soviet mathematics” at a session of the USSR Academy of Sciences. It has a special focus on computational mathematics and engineering. He called for the speedy creation of an institute of computer technology. In 1950, Mikhail Alekseevich was elected director of the Institute of Precision Mechanics and Computer Science.

Here, in the shortest possible time, the first samples of Soviet electronic calculating machines - the ancestors of modern Soviet computer technology - were created. This institute was headed by M.A. Lavrentyev until 1953.

From 1951 to 1953, Lavrentiev was Academician-Secretary of the Department of Physical and Mathematical Sciences of the USSR Academy of Sciences. He attached to this activity great importance, paid exceptional attention to the development of the general directions of science of that time, its connection, moreover, in a very specific way, with the most urgent needs of the country.

From 1953 to 1955, Lavrentiev worked together with the eminent Russian academician Kurchatov.

At the end of spring 1957, a decision was made to create the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences, and Academician M.A. Lavrentiev became its chairman. Thanks to him, first specialized physico-mathematical and then chemical boarding schools were created on the academic campus, and a club of young technicians was created for children with design inclinations. With the active participation of M.A. Lavrentiev, Novosibirsk University was also created.

Lavrentyev often visited abroad, where he gave lectures and studied the state of mathematics and mechanics. Mikhail Alekseevich was elected in 1962–1966 as a member, and from 1966–1970 as vice-president of the executive committee of the International Mathematical Union. In addition, he was elected a foreign member of the Academy of Sciences of Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Poland, the German Academy of Sciences in Berlin (GDR), the Academy of Sciences of Liopoldina (GDR), the French Academy of Sciences, a member of the International Academy of Astronautics, as well as a member of a number of international and national scientific organizations.

In 1967, for outstanding services in the development of science and organization of the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences, Mikhail Alekseevich was awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor.

In 1971, Lavrentiev was awarded France's highest award - the Order of the Legion of Honor, Commander degree. In 1977, for outstanding achievements in the field of mathematics and mechanics, he was awarded a large gold medal named after. M.V. Lomonosov.

The great Soviet scientist died on October 15, 1980 in Moscow. He was buried at the Southern (Cherbuzinsky) cemetery in Novosibirsk.

In honor of Lavrentiev, an avenue in Novosibirsk, the Institute of Hydrodynamics named after. M.A. Lavrentiev SB RAS, Physics and Mathematics School at NSU, research vessel "Akademik Lavrentiev", mountain peaks in the Pamirs and Altai. The International Center for Minor Planets assigned the name Lavrentina to planet No. 7322 (in honor of academicians Mikhail Alekseevich and Mikhail Mikhailovich Lavrentiev).

Born into the family of a mathematics teacher at a technical educational institution, later a professor of mechanics, first at Kazan, then at Moscow University. In 1910–1911, he was with his father in Göttingen (Germany), where he began attending secondary school. He completed his secondary education at the Kazan Commercial School, in 1918 he entered Kazan University, and in 1921 he transferred to the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics of Moscow University, from which he graduated in 1922. He remained in graduate school: in 1923-1926 - graduate student N.N. Luzina. In 1927, he defended his dissertation for the degree of candidate of physical and mathematical sciences and was sent to France for six months for scientific improvement.

Upon returning to Moscow at the end of 1927, he was elected privat-docent of Moscow State University and a member of the Moscow Mathematical Society. I started teaching a course at Moscow State University on the theory of conformal mappings (transformations of space that preserve the magnitude of angles).

In 1921-1929 he taught at the Moscow Higher Technical School.

In 1929, he became the head of the department and received the title of professor at the Moscow Institute of Chemical Technology. At the same time, in 1929-1935, at the invitation of S. A. Chaplygin, he worked as a senior engineer at the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute named after N. E. Zhukovsky (TsAGI). The interests of M. A. Lavrentiev and his group included such sections of hydroaerodynamics as the theory of an oscillating wing, the movement of a wing under the surface of a heavy liquid, the impact of a solid body on water, the construction of a flow around an arc of a given shape, and a number of others.

Since 1931 - professor at Moscow State University. Without defending a dissertation (based on a set of scientific works), in 1934 he was awarded the academic degree of Doctor of Technical Sciences, and in 1935 - Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.

Since 1935 - senior researcher at the Steklov Mathematical Institute; headed the department of function theory.

Since 1939 - director of the Institute of Mathematics of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR in Kyiv (until 1949), as well as professor of the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics of Kyiv State University (until 1941, then in the period 1945-1948).

Since 1948, M. A. Lavrentyev has been working at Moscow State University again. During this period, he participated in the creation of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) on the basis of MSU. At this institute, Lavrentiev founded a specialization in the theory of explosions and headed the department of physics of fast processes (1955-1958). In 1950, he was elected director of the Institute of Precision Mechanics and Computer Science (created in 1948; here, the first samples of domestic electronic calculating machines were created in the shortest possible time).

In 1953-1955, deputy scientific director of KB-11 (Nuclear Center in Arzamas-16); in 1955 he signed the “Letter of the Three Hundred”.

On May 18, 1957, a decision was made to create the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences, and M. A. Lavrentiev became its chairman. He headed it until 1975. Since 1960, he lectured at Novosibirsk State University.

Died on October 15, 1980 in Moscow. He was buried at the Southern (Cherbuzinsky) cemetery in Novosibirsk.

The son of M. A. Lavrentyev - Lavrentyev, Mikhail Mikhailovich - Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Memory

The following were named in honor of M. A. Lavrentiev:

Academician Lavrentiev streets in Dolgoprudny (Moscow region) and Kazan;
Academician Lavrentiev Avenue in Novosibirsk, where his bronze bust is installed;
Institute of Hydrodynamics named after. M. A. Lavrentiev SB RAS;
Physics and Mathematics School at NSU, NSU Auditorium and Lyceum No. 130;
Research vessel "Akademik Lavrentiev";
Mountain peaks in the Pamirs and Altai.

LAVRENTIEV, MICHAEL ALEXEYEVICH(1900-1980), Soviet scientist in the field of mathematics and mechanics, organizer of science.

Born on November 6 (19 new style), 1900 in Kazan in the family of a mathematics teacher at a technical educational institution (later a professor of mechanics, first at Kazan, then at Moscow University). In 1910-1911, together with his father, he was in Göttingen (Germany), where he went to school. He received his secondary education at the Kazan Commercial School, and after graduating he entered Kazan University (1918). Greatest influence on Lavrentieva at Kazan University were provided by professors of mathematics E.A. Bolotov, D.N. Zeiliger and N.N. Parfentiev. Already here a noticeable bias began to show itself Lavrentiev to mathematics. He taught at Kazan University and worked as a laboratory assistant in the Mechanical Room.

In 1921, he and his family moved to Moscow and transferred to the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics of Moscow State University, and graduated from Moscow State University in 1922.

Still a student in 1921 Lavrentiev began teaching at the Moscow Higher Technical School (now MSTU named after N.E. Bauman), continued teaching until 1929.

In Moscow Lavrentiev entered “Lusitania” - this was the comic name of the mathematical school created around 1914 by the outstanding Russian mathematician N.N. Luzin (historically Lusitania is a province of the Roman Empire, on the territory modern Spain and Portugal, named after the ancient tribe that inhabited it - the Lusitanians). Luzin's scientific interests related to set theory and function theory, which were intensively developing at that time. A characteristic feature of Luzin as a scientist and teacher was collective form conducting research that contributes to setting fundamentally new problems and finding new approaches to old problems. A galaxy of outstanding domestic mathematicians came out of the school (I.I. Privalov, V.V. Stepanov, P.S. Aleksandrov, M.Ya. Suslin, D.E. Menshov, A.Ya. Khinchin, S.S. Kovner, P.S. Uryson, V.N. Veniaminov, A.N. Kolmogorov, V.V. Nemytsky, L.V. Keldysh (elder sister of M.V. Keldysh), P.S. Novikov, N.K. Bari and others), among them is Lavrentiev. In 1923-1926 he was a graduate student of Luzin, engaged in research on set theory, topology (the science of general properties mathematical spaces preserved under continuous transformations), differential equations. First published work (on French) "Contribution a la theorie des ensembles homeomorphes" (On the study of homeomorphic sets) was published in France, 1924. His next seven works, completed in the period 1924-1927, were also published in French in Western European (mainly French) scientific publications - a common practice of Soviet scientists at that time. Since 1928 he published mainly in domestic publications.

In 1927 he defended his dissertation for the degree of candidate of physical and mathematical sciences and was sent to France for six months for scientific improvement. Communication with prominent French mathematicians Denjoy, Hadamard, Montel, lectures by Goursat, Borel and Julia, participation in seminars on the theory of functions became a good school for him.

Upon returning to Moscow (late 1927), he was elected private associate professor at Moscow State University and a member of the Moscow Mathematical Society. I started teaching a course at Moscow State University on the theory of conformal mappings (transformations of space that preserve the magnitude of angles). Since 1927, he took up the important for applications problem of approximating functions of a complex variable (by simpler functions - polynomials); the beginning of his research on the theory of quasi-conformal (close to conformal) mappings dates back to the same time, which was explained by the urgent needs of aerodynamics of increased speeds: a model of incompressible fluid, used at low flight speeds, is no longer valid.

In 1928, as part of the Soviet delegation, he participated in the International Mathematical Congress in Bologna (Italy) with a report on quasiconformal mappings.

In 1929 he became the head of the department and received the title of professor at the Moscow Institute of Chemical Technology. In the same year he began working as a senior engineer at the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute named after. Professor N.E. Zhukovsky (TsAGI). He was attracted here by the head of the theoretical department of TsAGI S.A. Chaplygin. These were the years of rapid flourishing of aircraft construction and the formation of flight theory, research into the aerodynamics of wings, which affected further topics of research work Lavrentieva. It was from this period, which lasted six years, that his work began directly in the field of applied mathematics. He attracted his students to TsAGI, and then his colleagues M.V. Keldysh and L.I. Sedov. Into the circle of interests Lavrentieva and his groups included such sections of hydro-aerodynamics as the theory of an oscillating wing, the movement of a wing under the surface of a heavy liquid, the impact of a solid body on water, the construction of a flow around an arc of a given shape, and a number of others. The results obtained were subsequently used, in particular, in solving the flutter problem. A general method was found for solving the problem of flow around thin airfoils of arbitrary shape; it is shown that the largest lifting force has a wing in the shape of a circular arc. Applied problems stimulated further research on the theory of variational principles of conformal mappings. In 1935 Lavrentiev published (partially in co-authorship) 16 articles and abstracts, a monograph in 2 volumes, and a training course program.

In 1931 he became a professor at Moscow State University, connecting his life with the university for many years.

Without defending a dissertation (based on a set of scientific works) Lavrentyev in 1934 he was awarded the academic degree of Doctor of Technical Sciences, and in 1935 - Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. In the same year he became a senior researcher at the Mathematical Institute. V.A. Steklov of the USSR Academy of Sciences, where he worked for more than 25 years. Influence Lavrentieva the impact on this scientific institution is still palpable. From 1934 he headed the department of theory of functions and trained a large number of students who later became outstanding scientists, among them Academician A.Yu. Ishlinsky, Academician of the Academy pedagogical sciences A.I. Markushevich, corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Sciences, academician of the Georgian Academy of Sciences A.V. Bitsadze. By mid-1930s Lavrentiev became the generally recognized head of the Soviet school of theory of functions of a complex variable.

In 1939, he was elected a full member of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR (USSR Academy of Sciences) and director of the Mathematical Institute of the Ukrainian SSR Academy of Sciences, and moved to Kyiv. Here he studied the theory of functions of a complex variable and its applications. Research has also begun in Ukraine Lavrentieva, related to the mechanics of explosion, a scientific school was created. He taught at Kiev University, professor (1939-1941 and 1945-1949), from 1941 to 1945 - head of the Mathematics Department of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences.

During the Second World War, together with the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR Lavrentiev was evacuated to the Urals and Ufa. Continued research in the field of explosions. Assuming that at high temperatures materials behave like viscous liquids, he developed the hydrodynamic theory of cumulation (cumulative effect - an increase in the penetrating ability of a projectile, discovered in the second half of the 19th century, with its special device, such that when a projectile collides with an obstacle, a high-speed (cumulative) ) a jet of powder gases and melt products of a metal shell, burning through an obstacle). The results of the research, including the most important one - the depth of penetration of the jet into the barrier, are given in the article "Cumulative charge and principles of its operation", 1957. He successfully solved a number of military engineering problems, participated in the creation of a domestic shaped charge projectile. When studying the characteristics of cumulation, the phenomenon of explosion welding of metals was discovered, which was widely used in the future.

Attention Lavrentieva I was also attracted by the theory of long waves on the surface of a liquid under the action of gravity. The obtained first proof of the existence of an exact solution to the propagation equations of a soliton (solitary surface wave) is given in the article “Towards the theory of long waves”, 1943, then in the article “Before the theories of long waves” (in Ukrainian), 1947.

In February 1945 he returned from evacuation to Kyiv and became vice-president of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR. He remained in this post until 1948.

In 1946 he was elected academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences. For research in the field of the theory of functions of a complex variable and the creation of the theory of quasiconformal mappings, he was awarded the Stalin (State) Prize. In 1949 he was awarded the second Stalin Prize for his theory of cumulative jets.

In connection with the problem of sinking captured sea vessels, he studied the effects of an underwater explosion. He conducted an experimental test of the theory he developed at the academic base of the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in the Kyiv suburb of Feofaniya. The formation of cumulative jets was discovered, which are formed when a cavity from the explosion products collapses in water. Published the work “Experience in calculating the influence of the depth of immersion of a bomb in a liquid on its destructive force”, 1946. The idea of using cord charges based on “wet gunpowder” dates back to the same period, which turned out to be a suitable means for laying trenches, for cutting metals, organizing directed explosions, etc.

Since 1948 he has been working at Moscow State University again. During this period, a new higher educational institution was created on the basis of Moscow State University - the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), which played an important role in training highly qualified personnel for new branches of science and technology that arose in the post-war years. At this institute Lavrentiev founded a specialization in the theory of explosions, headed the department of physics of fast processes (1955-1958). Was engaged in directed explosions. The results are presented in the work “On the directional throwing of soil using an explosive,” 1960.

He studied mixed-type equations that describe gas flows in regions of transition through the speed of sound, and proposed using a mixed-type model linear equation instead of the well-known Tricomi equation. In 1950 he published an article (co-authored with A.V. Bitsadze) “On the problem of equations of mixed type.”

In 1947, he made a report at a session of the USSR Academy of Sciences, “Ways of Development of Soviet Mathematics” (published in 1948). Particular attention was paid to computational mathematics and engineering. He called for the speedy creation of an institute of computer technology.

In 1950 he was elected director of the Institute of Precision Mechanics and Computer Science (established in 1948 in Moscow), whose chief designer was S.A. Lebedev, a specialist in the field of electrical engineering and computer technology, later an academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences. At the Institute, in the shortest possible time, the first samples of Soviet electronic calculating machines - the ancestors of domestic computer technology - were created. He headed this institute until 1953.

From 1951 to 1953 he was Academician-Secretary of the Department of Physical and Mathematical Sciences of the USSR Academy of Sciences. He attached great importance to this activity, paying exceptional attention to the development of the main directions of the then science, its specific connection with practice.

From 1953 to 1955 he worked together with the head of the Soviet nuclear project, Academician I.V. Kurchatov, and was deputy chief designer of the Ministry of Medium Engineering. In 1958 he was one of the first to receive the Lenin Prize (for special topics).

In 1955 he was elected to the Presidium of the USSR Academy of Sciences, and from 1955 to 1957 he was again Academician-Secretary of the Department of Physical and Mathematical Sciences of the USSR Academy of Sciences.

In 1957, together with academicians S.A. Khristianovich and S.L. Sobolev, he put forward the idea of creating scientific complexes in Siberia, in places of particularly intensive development of industry and agriculture. This idea was supported by a number of prominent scientists. On May 18, 1957, a government decision was made to create the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences, and its chairman became Lavrentiev. He headed the Siberian branch until 1975 (then he was Honorary Chairman). The Siberian branch has become widely known throughout the world and has established itself not only with a series of fundamental developments, but also with their application to the most vital tasks of the development of Siberia, the Far East and the European part of the country.

The Institute of Hydrodynamics (now named after M.A.) was the first to start working in the Siberian department. Lavrentieva, ISIS), the organizer and director of which was Lavrentiev. He was responsible for choosing the organizational structure of the institute, its scientific problems, giving them both exploratory and applied character, and determining the appropriate combination of fundamental research with national economic tasks. He headed the Institute until 1976.

Supported by Lavrentieva B.V. Voitsekhovsky, V.V. Mitrofanov, M.E. Topchiyan and others at the Institute developed the theory of spin detonation (when propagated in round pipe the front of a detonation wave of this kind describes a helical line on the walls of the pipe).

In the work “On one principle of creating traction force for movement” (together with M.M. Lavrentiev, 1962) proposed a mechanical model (a flexible rod in a channel with rigid walls) to study the movement of snakes, fish, etc. Investigated cloud dynamics nuclear explosion, developed the theory of self-similar motion of turbulent vortex rings. Constructed new models of separated flow around bodies with an aft circulation zone. He was also interested in other problems: waves on water and extinguishing them with rain; the emergence and development of giant sea waves(tsunami), fighting forest fires, preventing river pollution, ecology of construction, advantages of various electronic computing systems, organization scientific research, teaching methods in higher and high school etc.

With active participation Lavrentieva Novosibirsk State University was also created (it was organized in 1958, the first academic year began in September 1959 with a lecture by academician S.L. Sobolev). The basis for student practice was the scientific institutes of the Novosibirsk Academic Town. He lectured at Novosibirsk University, university professor 1959-1966.

In the Novosibirsk Academgorodok, first a specialized physics and mathematics boarding school, and then a chemical boarding school, and a club for young technicians were created. The official opening of the country's first specialized physics and mathematics boarding school (PMS) at Novosibirsk State University took place in January 1963.

Received the title of honorary citizen of Novosibirsk (1970).

Since 1976 he worked in Moscow again. In 1976-1980 Chairman of the USSR National Committee on Theoretical and Applied Mathematics.

He often visited abroad, where he gave lectures and studied the state of mathematics and mechanics. He was elected a member in 1962-1966, and vice-president of the executive committee of the International Mathematical Union in 1966-1970. Elected as a foreign member of the Academy of Sciences of Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Poland, Finland, the German Academy of Sciences in Berlin (GDR), the Academy of Sciences of Liopoldina (GDR), the French Academy of Sciences, a member of the International Academy of Astronautics, as well as a member of a number of other international and national scientific organizations.

He has written a number of monographs and textbooks.

For outstanding services in the development of science and organization of the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences, he was awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor (1967). Awarded five Orders of Lenin (1953, 1956, 1960, 1967, 1975), the Order of the October Revolution (1970), four Orders of the Red Banner of Labor (1945, 1948, 1953, 1954), the Order of the Patriotic War, II degree (1944), and the Order of the Legion of Honor Commander degree (the highest award in France, 1971), medals.

530 works are known Lavrentieva(scientific and journalistic articles, reviews, reviews, monographs, textbooks, memoirs, etc.) Many of his students became outstanding scientists.

Soviet scientist in the field of mathematics and mechanics, organizer of science. Born into the family of a mathematics teacher at a technical educational institution (later a professor of mechanics, first at Kazan, then at Moscow University). In 1910–1911, together with his father, he was in Göttingen (Germany), where he went to school. He received his secondary education at the Kazan Commercial School, and after graduating he entered Kazan University (1918).

The greatest influence on Lavrentiev at Kazan University were professors of mathematics E.A. Bolotov, D.N. Zeiliger and N.N. Parfentiev. Already here Lavrentiev’s noticeable passion for mathematics began to show. He taught at Kazan University and worked as a laboratory assistant in the Mechanical Room.

In 1921, he and his family moved to Moscow and transferred to the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics of Moscow State University, and graduated from Moscow State University in 1922.

While still a student in 1921, Lavrentiev began teaching at the Moscow Higher Technical School (now Bauman Moscow State Technical University), and continued teaching until 1929.

In Moscow, Lavrentiev entered “Lusitania” - this was the comic name of the mathematical school created around 1914 by the outstanding Russian mathematician N.N. Luzin (historically, Lusitania is a province of the Roman Empire, on the territory of modern Spain and Portugal, named after the ancient tribe that inhabited it - the Lusitani ). Luzin's scientific interests related to set theory and function theory, which were intensively developing at that time. A characteristic feature of Luzin as a scientist and teacher was the collective form of research, which contributed to the formulation of fundamentally new problems and the finding of new approaches to old problems. A galaxy of outstanding domestic mathematicians came out of the school (I.I. Privalov, V.V. Stepanov, P.S. Aleksandrov, M.Ya. Suslin, D.E. Menshov, A.Ya. Khinchin, S.S. Kovner, P.S. Uryson, V.N. Veniaminov, A.N. Kolmogorov, V.V. Nemytsky, L.V. Keldysh (elder sister of M.V. Keldysh), P.S. Novikov, N.K. Bari and others), Lavrentiev is one of them. In 1923–1926, he was Luzin’s graduate student and was engaged in research on set theory, topology (the science of the general properties of mathematical spaces that are preserved under continuous transformations), and differential equations. The first published work (in French) Contribution a la theorie des ensembles homeomorphes (On the study of homeomorphic sets) was published in France, 1924. His next seven works, completed in the period 1924–1927, were also published in French in Western European ( mainly French) scientific publications - a common practice of Soviet scientists at that time. Since 1928 he published mainly in domestic publications.

Upon returning to Moscow (late 1927), he was elected private associate professor at Moscow State University and a member of the Moscow Mathematical Society. I started teaching a course at Moscow State University on the theory of conformal mappings (transformations of space that preserve the magnitude of angles). Since 1927, he took up the problem of approximating functions of a complex variable (by simpler functions - polynomials), which is important for applications; the beginning of his research on the theory of quasi-conformal (close to conformal) mappings dates back to the same time, which was explained by the urgent needs of aerodynamics at increased speeds: a model of incompressible fluid, used at low flight speeds, is no longer valid.

In 1928, as part of the Soviet delegation, he participated in the International Mathematical Congress in Bologna (Italy) with a report on quasiconformal mappings.

In 1929 he became the head of the department and received the title of professor at the Moscow Institute of Chemical Technology. In the same year he began working as a senior engineer at the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute named after. Professor N.E. Zhukovsky (TsAGI). He was attracted here by the head of the theoretical department of TsAGI S.A. Chaplygin. These were the years of rapid flowering of aircraft construction and the formation of the theory of flight, research into the aerodynamics of wings, which affected the further topics of Lavrentiev’s research work. It was from this period, which lasted six years, that his work began directly in the field of applied mathematics. He attracted his students to TsAGI, and then his colleagues M.V. Keldysh and L.I. Sedov. The interests of Lavrentiev and his group included such sections of hydro-aerodynamics as the theory of an oscillating wing, the movement of a wing under the surface of a heavy liquid, the impact of a solid body on water, the construction of a flow around an arc of a given shape, and a number of others. The results obtained were subsequently used, in particular, in solving the flutter problem. A general method was found for solving the problem of flow around thin airfoils of arbitrary shape; It is shown that the wing in the shape of a circular arc has the greatest lifting force. Applied problems stimulated further research on the theory of variational principles of conformal mappings. In 1935, Lavrentiev published (partially co-authored) 16 articles and abstracts, a monograph in 2 volumes, and a training course program.

In 1931 he became a professor at Moscow State University, connecting his life with the university for many years.

Without defending a dissertation (based on a set of scientific works), Lavrentyev was awarded the academic degree of Doctor of Technical Sciences in 1934, and in 1935 - Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. In the same year he became a senior researcher at the Mathematical Institute. V.A. Steklov of the USSR Academy of Sciences, where he worked for more than 25 years. Lavrentiev’s influence on this scientific institution is still noticeable. From 1934 he headed the department of theory of functions and trained a large number of students who later became outstanding scientists, among them academician A.Yu. Ishlinsky, academician of the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences A.I. Markushevich, corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Sciences, academician of the Georgian Academy of Sciences A.V. Bitsadze. By the mid-1930s, Lavrentiev became the generally recognized head of the Soviet school of theory of functions of a complex variable.

In 1939, he was elected a full member of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR (USSR Academy of Sciences) and director of the Mathematical Institute of the Ukrainian SSR Academy of Sciences, and moved to Kyiv. Here he studied the theory of functions of a complex variable and its applications. In Ukraine, Lavrentiev’s research related to the mechanics of explosion was begun, and a scientific school was created. He taught at Kiev University, professor (1939–1941 and 1945–1949), from 1941 to 1945 – head of the Mathematics Department of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences.

During the Second World War, together with the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Lavrentiev was evacuated to the Urals and Ufa. Continued research in the field of explosions. Assuming that at high temperatures materials behave like viscous liquids, he developed the hydrodynamic theory of cumulation (cumulative effect - an increase in the penetrating ability of a projectile, discovered in the second half of the 19th century, with its special device, such that when a projectile collides with an obstacle, a high-speed (cumulative) ) a jet of powder gases and melt products of a metal shell, burning through an obstacle). The results of the research, including the most important one - the depth of penetration of the jet into the barrier, are given in the article The shaped charge and the principles of its operation, 1957. He successfully solved a number of military engineering problems, participated in the creation of a domestic shaped charge projectile. When studying the characteristics of cumulation, the phenomenon of explosion welding of metals was discovered, which was widely used in the future.

Lavrentiev's attention was also attracted by the theory of long waves on the surface of a liquid under the action of gravity. The obtained first proof of the existence of an exact solution to the equations of propagation of a soliton (solitary surface wave) is given in the article To the theory of long waves, 1943, then in the article To the theories of long waves (in Ukrainian), 1947.

In February 1945 he returned from evacuation to Kyiv and became vice-president of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR. He remained in this post until 1948.

In connection with the problem of sinking captured sea vessels, he studied the effects of an underwater explosion. He conducted an experimental test of the theory he developed at the academic base of the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in the Kyiv suburb of Feofaniya. The formation of cumulative jets was discovered, which are formed when a cavity from the explosion products collapses in water. Published the work Experience of calculating the influence of the depth of immersion of a bomb in a liquid on its destructive power, 1946. The idea of using cord charges based on “wet gunpowder” dates back to the same period, which turned out to be a suitable means for laying trenches, for cutting metals, organizing directed explosions and etc.

Since 1948 he has been working at Moscow State University again. During this period, a new higher educational institution was created on the basis of Moscow State University - the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), which played an important role in training highly qualified personnel for new branches of science and technology that arose in the post-war years. At this institute, Lavrentiev founded a specialization in the theory of explosions and headed the department of physics of fast processes (1955–1958). Was engaged in directed explosions. The results are presented in the work On the directional throwing of soil using an explosive, 1960.

In 1947, he made a report at a session of the USSR Academy of Sciences on the Ways of Development of Soviet Mathematics (published in 1948). Particular attention was paid to computational mathematics and engineering. He called for the speedy creation of an institute of computer technology.

In 1957, together with academicians S.A. Khristianovich and S.L. Sobolev, he put forward the idea of creating scientific complexes in Siberia, in places of particularly intensive development of industry and agriculture. This idea was supported by a number of prominent scientists. On May 18, 1957, a government decision was made to create the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences, and Lavrentiev became its chairman. He headed the Siberian branch until 1975 (then he was Honorary Chairman). The Siberian branch has become widely known throughout the world and has established itself not only with a series of fundamental developments, but also with their application to the most vital tasks of the development of Siberia, the Far East and the European part of the country.

The Institute of Hydrodynamics (now named after M.A. Lavrentyev, IGiL) was the first to start working in the Siberian branch, the organizer and director of which was Lavrentyev. He was responsible for choosing the organizational structure of the institute, its scientific problems, giving them both exploratory and applied character, and determining the appropriate combination of fundamental research with national economic tasks. He headed the Institute until 1976.

With the support of Lavrentiev, B.V. Voitsekhovsky, V.V. Mitrofanov, M.E. Topchiyan and others, the theory of spin detonation was developed at the Institute (when propagating in a round pipe, the front of a detonation wave of this kind describes a helical line on the walls of the pipe).

In his work On One Principle of Creating Traction Force for Movement (together with M.M. Lavrentiev, 1962), he proposed a mechanical model (a flexible rod in a channel with rigid walls) to study the movement of snakes, fish, etc. He studied the dynamics of a nuclear explosion cloud and developed the theory of self-similar motion of turbulent vortex rings. Constructed new models of separated flow around bodies with an aft circulation zone. He was also interested in other problems: waves on water and extinguishing them with rain; the emergence and development of giant sea waves (tsunamis), fighting forest fires, preventing river pollution, construction ecology, the advantages of various electronic computing systems, organization of scientific research, teaching methods in higher and secondary schools, etc.

With the active participation of Lavrentiev, Novosibirsk State University was created (it was organized in 1958, the first academic year began in September 1959 with a lecture by Academician S.L. Sobolev). The basis for student practice was the scientific institutes of the Novosibirsk Academic Town. He lectured at Novosibirsk University, university professor 1959–1966.

Received the title of honorary citizen of Novosibirsk (1970).

Since 1976 he worked in Moscow again. In 1976–1980 Chairman of the USSR National Committee for Theoretical and Applied Mathematics.

He often visited abroad, where he gave lectures and studied the state of mathematics and mechanics. He was elected a member in 1962–1966, and vice-president of the executive committee of the International Mathematical Union in 1966–1970. Elected as a foreign member of the Academy of Sciences of Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Poland, Finland, the German Academy of Sciences in Berlin (GDR), the Academy of Sciences of Liopoldina (GDR), the French Academy of Sciences, a member of the International Academy of Astronautics, as well as a member of a number of other international and national scientific organizations.

He has written a number of monographs and textbooks.

530 works of Lavrentiev are known (scientific and journalistic articles, reviews, reviews, monographs, textbooks, essays on memoirs, etc.) Many of his students became outstanding scientists.

Works: Fundamentals of the calculus of variations. In 2 parts. M. – Leningrad, ONTI, 1935 (co-author: L.A. Lyusternik); Course of calculus of variations. M. - L., ONTI, 1938 (co-author: L.A. Lyusternik); Conformal mappings with applications to some problems in mechanics. M. – L., GTTI, 1946; Variational method in boundary value problems for systems of equations of elliptic type. M., Publishing House of the USSR Academy of Sciences, 1962; Methods of the theory of functions of a complex variable, 4th ed., M., 1973 (co-author: B.V. Shabat); Problems of hydrodynamics and their mathematical models. 2nd ed., M., 1977 (co-author: B.V. Shabat); Selected works. Mathematics and mechanics. M., Nauka, 1990.

Memory

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