There are countless famous Maths people that have helped

shape the Mathematics that we use today. In fact, many of the

discoveries of these famous mathematicians have roots in

science, medicine and technologies that are now common place.

One of the most famous Lithuanian mathematician was Jonas Kubilius who

worked in probability theory and number theory. He was rector of Vilnius

University for 32 years, and served one term in Lithuanian parliament.

Kubilius was born in Fermos village, Eržvilkas county, Jurbarkas distric

municipality, Lithuania.

He received the Candidate of Sciences degree in 1951 from Leningrad University

and the Doctor of Science degree in 1957 from the Steklov Institute of

Mathematics in Moscow. In 1952 he became an employee of the Lithuanian

Academy of Sciences in the Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy Sector. He

initially promoted the development of probability theory in Lithuania and later

the development of differential equations and mathematical logic.

Kubilius‘s scientific work was in the areas of number theory and probability

theory. The Turan-Kubilius inequality and the Kubilius model in probabilistic

number theory are named after him.

Kubilius organised the first mathematical olympiad in Lithuania in 1951, and he

wrote books of problems for students to use in preparing for olympiads. He was a

past president of the Lithuanian Mathematical Society and also a member of the

Seimas (Lithuanian parliament) from 1992 to 1996.

At the beginning of the 20th century when Lithuania as an independent state

was just being formed the building of modern education system seemed to be

an important aim. In achieving this aim especially in developing mathematics

teaching at school a mathematics professor Z. Žemaitis‘s merit is obvious.

After successful mathematics studies in Odessa (Novorossijsk) University in

1903-1908, Zigmas Žemaitis returned to Vilnius where he worked at a private

gymnasium school for girls. During World War I he retreated to Voronezh. In

Voronezh in M. Yčas‘s gymnasium school for Lithuanian war refugee boys Z.

Žemaitis taught mathematics in 1915-1918. At this period Z. Žemaitis coined

some Lithuanian terms of mathematics.

Z. Žemaitis as a professor, having experience of pedagogical work especially

in teaching mathematics at secondary school, alongside with other university

subjects taught methods of mathematics teaching, too. It was a very important

subject for future teachers of mathematics.

A professor Z. Žemaitis as an advocate of a German mathematician F. Klein‟s

ideas pointed out the importance of the subject of mathematics in developing

students‟ thinking, developing power of soul, and providing practical life-

oriented knowledge. Z. Žemaitis following Western Europe idea that

“functions, their fluxions and the notion of their geometrical interpretation

mainly depend on general culture” proposed to change mathematical

programmes in two directions: including analytical geometry and analysis of

mathematical infinite smallness.

He was a famous Lithuanian - Soviet mathematician.

Statulevičius was born in educated in Vilnius. His

research was mainly in the fields of probability theory

and mathematician statistics. He used computing to

create complex modelling of oil fields and power sations

and did much to developthe technique of nonlinear

analysis.

From left to right: Prof. B.Grigelionis,

Prof. J.Kubilius, President of Lithuania V. Adamkus

and Prof. V.Statulevičius

He was a Lithuanian mathematician, engineer,

journalist and encyclopedist of noble extraction. He

studied mathematics and engineering at the University

of St. Petersburg in Russia. After completing his

studies he held the position of Professor of

Mathematics and Chief of the Mathematics seminar at

Vytautas Magnus University.

He published more than thirty scientific works and

textbooks in Lithuanian, Polish and Russian such as

Introduction of the Theory of Functions(Kaunas,

1926), Mathematical Theory of Probability (Kaunas,

1930), Function (Kaunas, 1934), Theory of Numbers

(Vilnius – Vienna, 1940-1944, 2 vols.) etc.

Petras Katilius (1903-1995)

Kazimieras Klimavičius (1886-1972)

Antanas Baranauskas (1835-1902)

Vaclovas Bliznikas (1930-1997)

The collection stores all that is related to education in

mathematics and to research work of Lithuanian mathematicians:

manuscripts, books, photographs, video cassettes, personal things

of mathematicians, the material reflecting relations of

mathematicians with foreign countries, some medals and

archaeological findings. The depository keeps almost 1000

dossiers containing ten thousands objects connected directly with

mathematicians or mathematics and its history in general.

Mathematicians share a great

diversity – who knows – maybe you

can be next great mathematician?