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?