Lev Semyonovich Pontryagin (1908-1988)
A visually impaired Soviet mathematician, one of the greatest mathematicians of the 20th century, academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences. Laureate of the Lenin Prize, the Stalin Prize of the 2nd degree and the USSR State Prize.
His significant contribution to algebraic and differential topology, oscillation theory, calculus of variations, control theory won him the accolades. Born in 1908 in Moscow, he hailed from a simple working class family.
The mathematician’s father, Semyon Akimovich, worked as an accountant. Mother, Tatyana Andreevna, had excellent mental capabilities and worked as a dressmaker, When Pontryagin was 14 years old, a broken primus stove, which he was trying to repair, exploded right in his face, leaving the teenager completely blind
Without an appropriate mathematical education, the mother together with Lev, began to study mathematics in order to prepare him for entering a university. As a result, Pontryagin was able to successfully pass the exams at the university for the physics and mathematics department.
In the biography of Lev Pontryagin an interesting incident that occurred at one of the lectures is described. When one of the professors was explaining another topic to the students, supplementing it with explanations on the blackboard, the voice of a blind Leo was suddenly heard: “Professor, you made a mistake on the drawing!” As it turned out, the blind Pontryagin “heard” the arrangement of letters on the drawing and immediately guessed that there was a mistake. Such was his brilliance.
He was also helped by his friends. There is an anecdote which goes thus: Lev doesn’t go to school for a week, two… and classmates, on the advice of the teacher, go to his house. Levin’s mother opened the door. The boys timidly asked her : “Why doesn’t Lev come to school?” The mother sadly replied: “He won’t study with you anymore. He had an acciedent”
Slowly Lev comes out with a blind patch on his eyes. The friends suddenly understood the impact of it all. Then and there, they offered to help Lev and this was the beginning.
He never used Braille which is specially produced for the visually impaired but relied heavily on the tape recorder. Pontryagin even learned to dance, ski and skate. Also, the scientist was twice married.
At the age of 22, he became an assistant professor of the Department of Algebra at his native university, and also ended up in the Research Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics of Moscow State University. 5 years later, he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.
Lev Pontryagin, said he was fond of mathematics in order to solve vital problems of society. Lev Semenovich Pontryagin moved to his heavenly abode on May 3, 1988 at the age of 79.
Pontryagin never had a complex because he was blind. He did not complain about his life, as a result of which his friends did not perceive him as blind. An excellent inspiration to the younger generation. Visually impaired mathematician is a rare find.