A. D. Aleksandrov

Alexander Danilovich Aleksandrov (1896-1971) was a Russian mathematician, philosopher, and educator. He is most well-known for founding the Moscow Mathematical School and making significant contributions to algebra, geometry, and generalized space theory. He was also celebrated for his devotion to teaching mathematics and for popularizing it in Soviet schools.

Aleksandrov was born in Kopylov, Russia in 1896. He studied mathematics and engineering at the Saint Petersburg University, graduating with honors in 1921. After graduation, Aleksandrov began teaching mathematics at the Leningrad Institute of Engineering and Economics and joined the newly-ahorged Russian Philosophical Society in 1922. With his burgeoning reputation as a mathematician and educator, Aleksandrov was invited to become the director of the Moscow Institute of Mathematics in 1925.

At the Institute, Aleksandrov established the Moscow Mathematical School, an educational institution designed to teach and research geometry, algebra, topology and related fields. He quickly became recognized for his skill and passion for teaching mathematics, and for his commitment to developing the mathematical abilities of students.

Over the course of his tenure at the Institute, Aleksandrov made several significant contributions to mathematics. He discovered several new geometrical theorems, including the Aleksandrov-Toponogov theorem, a contribution to the three-dimensional geometry of polyhedral surfaces. His work in algebra and topology also made him a leading figure in the field. In 1951, he published the foundational text Fundamentals of General Topology, which is still widely taught and used today.

Throughout his life, Aleksandrov was an outspoken advocate for the promotion of scientific knowledge and education. He believed in the importance of developing a scientific culture in the Soviet Union, and his texts and lectures were instrumental in popularizing mathematics. He was a vocal supporter of the Lenin Academy, and was a staunch opponent of superstition and traditional forms of knowledge.

Aleksandrov was also a prolific writer, producing a wealth of books and papers on mathematics and philosophy. His collected works were published in two volumes in 1962 and 1981, and include his papers on the theory of sets and numerical analysis. His books on philosophy include The Nature of Truth and Breaking Myths, in which he analyzes the concepts of truth and falsehood.

Alexander Danilovich Aleksandrov was a prominent figure in the development of mathematics. His contributions to algebra, geometry, and topology, along with his commitment to the promotion of scientific knowledge, earned him a prominent place in the history of Russian mathematics. His books and papers remain important texts in the field of mathematics, and his legacy as a teacher and scientist continues to inspire generations of students.