KAZIMIERZ KURATOWSKI - MATHEMATICIAN, PROFESSOR OF THE LVOV UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF WARSAW (TILL 1945).

• Authors: Przenioslo M.
• Languages of publication: PL

Abstracts

EN

Kazimierz Kuratowski was born on February 2, 1896 in Warsaw in the family of well-known lawyer - Marek Kuratow. Also in Warsaw he completed his elementary and grammar-school education. In the years 1915-1919 he studied mathematics in the University of Warsaw. In 1920 he was awarded doctor's degree for dissertation on topology. One year later he qualified himself as assistant professor, and his dissertation concerned theory of multiplicity. Very fast he also became an important member of the group of associates of Waclaw Sierpinski and Stefan Mazurkiewicz. In the academic year 1923/24 he became assistant professor of the University of Warsaw. In 1927 Kuratowski was appointed professor of the Chair of Mathematics III of General Faculty of the Lvov University of Technology (Politechnika Lwowska). He left Warsaw unwillingly, because was very much attached both to the home town and the scientific circles he used to co-operate with. Having been appointed professor in Lvov, he also found himself in a full of vitality and extraordinary scientific circle that was created by Hugon Steinhaus and Stefan Banach. After many years, even in the epilogue of his memories he wrote that this time was the most creative period in his life. He had not only appreciated the significance of discoveries, but also was alive to the mere style of circle's work that consisted in common discussions. Moreover, his character was very much adapted to friendly atmosphere and kindness that was extended to the young talents; Kuratowski himself was the one, who discovered such gifted person as Stanisław Ulam. After liquidation of General Faculty of the Lvov University of Technology in 1933, Kazimierz Kuratowski came back to Warsaw. In 1934 again was appointed professor of the newly organised Chair of Mathematics IV of the Warsaw University. He still worked much scientifically; till the outbreak of war published succeeding tens of works, and in 1939 his output numbered over 100 publications. He survived the war staying in Warsaw and in its immediate vicinity. In 1945 he came back to work in the University of Warsaw, wrote next tens of works and educated the group of talented students. He died on June 18, 1980 in Warsaw. He had his name engraved on his students' memory as a man of uncommon creative abilities and great charm.

Keywords

EN

KURATOWSKI KAZIMIERZ -EMINENT MATHEMATICIAN

Discipline

• HISTORY: HISTORY

• Publisher: Instytut Historii Nauki Polskiej Akademii Nauk
• Journal: Kwartalnik Historii Nauki i Techniki
• Year: 2008
• Volume: 53
• Issue: 3-4
• Pages: 203-226
• Document type: ARTICLE

Contributors

author

Przenioslo M.

• M. Przenioslo. Uniwersytet Humanistyczno-Przyrodniczny w Kielcach, ul. Zeromskiego 5, 25-369 Kielce, Poland

Identifiers

CEJSH db identifier

09PLAAAA060723