Some distinguished graduates of Jagiellonian University, 1918-1939

Distinguished graduates in mathematics ofJagiellonian University in the period 1918-1939

Stanisław Domoradzki1 Małgorzata Stawiska-Friedland2

1University of Rzeszów, Poland

2Mathematical Reviews, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

JMM, San Antonio, January 12, 2015

S. Domoradzki, M. Stawiska (UR; MR) Distinguished UJ alumni, 1918-1939 San Antonio 2015 1 / 47

Jagiellonian University inKraków was founded in 1364.The first chair for mathematicsand astronomy was establishedaround 1405.The University operated almostcontinually throughout ages.When Poland regained inde-pendence in 1918, it was animportant academic center. In1930s it numbered about 6,000students.


Mathematics at UJ in 1918-1939, I

Before 1926, the studies in mathematics concluded either with theteacher’s examination or the PhD examination (independently). Anadditional subject was required (most commonly, physics was chosen).In 1926 the system of studies was unified for all universities in Polandand the master’s degree was introduced.

In the years 1918-39, lectures in mathematics were given by: JanSleszynski (until 1924), Stanisław Zaremba, Antoni Hoborski (docent,later a professor at the Academy of Mining in Kraków), AlfredRosenblatt (docent, later a professor in Lima, Peru), Witold Wilkosz,Otto Nikodym, Leon Chwistek (1919-1931), Włodzimierz Stozek,Tadeusz Wazewski, Jan Lesniak, Stanisław Gołab, A. Rozanski(descriptive geometry; at Department of Agriculture), Franciszek Leja(from 1936), Stanisław Krystyn Zaremba (from 1937), JerzySpława-Neyman (1927-29, commuting from Warsaw).


Mathematics at UJ in 1918-1939, I

Before 1926, the studies in mathematics concluded either with theteacher’s examination or the PhD examination (independently). Anadditional subject was required (most commonly, physics was chosen).In 1926 the system of studies was unified for all universities in Polandand the master’s degree was introduced.In the years 1918-39, lectures in mathematics were given by: JanSleszynski (until 1924), Stanisław Zaremba, Antoni Hoborski (docent,later a professor at the Academy of Mining in Kraków), AlfredRosenblatt (docent, later a professor in Lima, Peru), Witold Wilkosz,Otto Nikodym, Leon Chwistek (1919-1931), Włodzimierz Stozek,Tadeusz Wazewski, Jan Lesniak, Stanisław Gołab, A. Rozanski(descriptive geometry; at Department of Agriculture), Franciszek Leja(from 1936), Stanisław Krystyn Zaremba (from 1937), JerzySpława-Neyman (1927-29, commuting from Warsaw).


Mathematics at UJ in 1918-1939, II

The standard curriculum was established before 1918 and comprisedmathematical analysis (differential and integral calculus), analyticgeometry, introduction to higher mathematics, differential equations,differential geometry, theory of analytic functions.

Less frequently, lectures were given in number theory, power series,synthetic geometry, algebraic equations, higher algebra and projectivegeometry.Occasionally, there were also lectures in theory of elliptic functions,theory of transformations, theory of conformal mappings, sphericaltrigonometry, calculus of variations, analytic mechanics, algebraicgeometry, elementary geometry, kinematics of continuous media,equations of physics, probability, theory of determinants, introductionto the methodology of mathematics, mathematical logic, integralequations.



The standard curriculum was established before 1918 and comprisedmathematical analysis (differential and integral calculus), analyticgeometry, introduction to higher mathematics, differential equations,differential geometry, theory of analytic functions.Less frequently, lectures were given in number theory, power series,synthetic geometry, algebraic equations, higher algebra and projectivegeometry.

Occasionally, there were also lectures in theory of elliptic functions,theory of transformations, theory of conformal mappings, sphericaltrigonometry, calculus of variations, analytic mechanics, algebraicgeometry, elementary geometry, kinematics of continuous media,equations of physics, probability, theory of determinants, introductionto the methodology of mathematics, mathematical logic, integralequations.



The standard curriculum was established before 1918 and comprisedmathematical analysis (differential and integral calculus), analyticgeometry, introduction to higher mathematics, differential equations,differential geometry, theory of analytic functions.Less frequently, lectures were given in number theory, power series,synthetic geometry, algebraic equations, higher algebra and projectivegeometry.Occasionally, there were also lectures in theory of elliptic functions,theory of transformations, theory of conformal mappings, sphericaltrigonometry, calculus of variations, analytic mechanics, algebraicgeometry, elementary geometry, kinematics of continuous media,equations of physics, probability, theory of determinants, introductionto the methodology of mathematics, mathematical logic, integralequations.


Mathematics at UJ in 1918-1939, III

There were also lectures in mathematics for natural sciences andlectures in elementary mathematics from the higher standpoint,oriented towards future teachers.

Witold Wilkosz introduced many new subjects: foundations ofmathematics, set theory, theory of quadratic forms, theory of functionsof a real variable, geometric topology, group theory.In the years 1928-1939 about 135 students graduated fromJagiellonian U. with master’s degree in mathematics. We will nowpresent several of these graduates– people who made an impact onmathematics and academic life.



There were also lectures in mathematics for natural sciences andlectures in elementary mathematics from the higher standpoint,oriented towards future teachers.Witold Wilkosz introduced many new subjects: foundations ofmathematics, set theory, theory of quadratic forms, theory of functionsof a real variable, geometric topology, group theory.

In the years 1928-1939 about 135 students graduated fromJagiellonian U. with master’s degree in mathematics. We will nowpresent several of these graduates– people who made an impact onmathematics and academic life.



There were also lectures in mathematics for natural sciences andlectures in elementary mathematics from the higher standpoint,oriented towards future teachers.Witold Wilkosz introduced many new subjects: foundations ofmathematics, set theory, theory of quadratic forms, theory of functionsof a real variable, geometric topology, group theory.In the years 1928-1939 about 135 students graduated fromJagiellonian U. with master’s degree in mathematics. We will nowpresent several of these graduates– people who made an impact onmathematics and academic life.


Collegium Novum building, 1930s


Tadeusz Wazewski (1896-1972), I

Studies at the Jagiellonian U. in1914-1920.Studies at the University ofParis in 1921-23; doctorate in1924 (thesis “Sur les courbesde Jordan ne renfremant au-cune courbe simple fermeé deJordan" ).Habilitation in UJ in 1927 ( “Kon-tinua prostowalne w zwiazkuz funkcjami i odwzorowaniamiabsolutnie ciagłymi" ); becomesan extraodinary professor in1933.


Tadeusz Wazewski’s grade book


Tadeusz Wazewski (1896-1972), II

Arrested in the Sonderaktion Krakau in 1939, imprisoned inSachsenhausen concentration camp and released in February1940.Returns to Kraków. Officially lectures at the Men’s School ofCommerce while also engaging in clandestine teaching andconducting an illegal mathematical seminar.In 1945 becomes an ordinary professor and takes active efforts torebuild academic life in Kraków– at the Jagiellonian University, theState Pedagogical College and Academy of Commerce as well asat the State Mathematical Institute (later Mathematical Institute ofthe Polish Academy of Sciences).


Tadeusz Wazewski (1896-1972), III

In his PhD thesis, Wazewski constructed a dendrite containing ahomeomorphic image of any other dendrite, i.e., a universaldendrite (now known as Wazewski’s dendrite).In 1947 Wazewski published first version of his fundamentalresult, later called Wazewski’s retract principle – a creativeapplication of topology to the study of asymptotic behavior ofsolutions to differential equations. Roughly, it says that certainproperties of the solutions of a differential equation (or a system ofequations) on the boundary of a given domain imply that somesolutions to the equation must stay in the domain.In 1960s Wazewski initiated a new direction in the optimal controltheory by using the notion of a differential inclusion.


Władysław Nikliborc (1899-1948)Studies at the Jagiellonian U. in1916-1922PhD in 1924 at the Lwów Uni-versity (thesis “On applicationsof the fundamental theoremof Cauchy on the existenceof solutions of ordinary differ-ential equations to boundaryvalue problems for the equationy ′′ = f (x , y , y ′).")Habilitations: in mathemat-ics in 1927 at the Lwów U.(thesis “Sur les fonctions hyper-harmoniques"); in theoreticalmechanics in 1931 at the LwówPolytechnics (thesis about ro-tating fluid)


Władysław Nikliborc (1899-1948), II

An extraordinary professor at the Warsaw Polytechnics from 1937to 1939.Spends the years of WW II in Lwów. During the Soviet occupation(1939-1941) works as a professor of mathematics, and during theGerman occupation (1942-1944) lectures at the StaatlicheTechnische Fachkurse, a school for vocational training createdinstead of the Polytechnics. Takes care of ailing Stefan Banach inhis last days.In 1945 goes to Kraków, to take the Chair of Mathematics at theAcademy of Mining and Metalurgy and to give lectures at theJagiellonian University, but soon moves to Warsaw (first to thePolytechnics, then to the University). Becomes an ordinaryprofessor.Dies in 1948 after being arrested and interrogated by communistsecurity forces.


Władysław Nikliborc (1899-1948), III

In his habilitation Nikliborc considered Dirichlet problem in apolydisk for a function which is the real part of a holomorphicfunction of two complex variables. Nowadays such functions arecalled pluriharmonic. Nikliborc was the first to make significantuse of theory of complex variables in the treatment of suchfunctions and made major advances in the theory.Nikliborc’s interests in mechanics were influenced mainly by LeonLichtenstein, whom he visited in Leipzig in 1930-1931. However,he acquired solid background in physics and astronomy as astudent in Kraków, through the lectures of Władysław Natanson,Czesław Białobrzeski, Zakrzewski, Stanisław Loria and TadeuszBanachiewicz. Nikliborc worked on equilibrium figures inhydrodynamics and on the three-body problem.


Jan Józef Lesniak (1901-1980), I

Studies in mathematics atJagiellonian University in 1919-1922.Doctorate at Jagiellonian U.in 1947 (thesis “Methods ofsolving equations"; supervisorFranciszek Leja).Habilitation in 1951 at thePedagogical College in Kraków(thesis “Educational values ofinstruction in mathematics andtheir fulfilment in high school").


Jan Józef Lesniak (1901-1980), II

In 1922 becomes a scientific aide of the Mathematical Seminar,later an assistant. In 1928 passes the exam for high schoolteaching licence and takes a position in H. Sienkiewiczgymnasium in Kraków. Gives contract lectures in issues ofelementary mathematics at the Jagiellonian University and– since1930– lectures on didactics of mathematics at the PedagogicalInstitute of Studies.In 1939 arrested by Gestapo and taken to the concentrationcamps in Wisnicz and Auschwitz. Released in 1940, returns toKraków and teaches mathematics in the School for Commerceand Industry.In 1945 re-assumes his position in gymnasium and continueslectures at the Jagiellonian University. In 1947 starts working forthe Pedagogical College. Becomes an extraordinary professor in1951 and an ordinary professor in 1963.


Stanisław Gołab (1902-1980), I

Studies at the JagiellonianU. in 1920-1924.PhD at the Jagiellonian U. in1931 (thesis “O uogólnionejgeometrii rzutowej"; supervisorStanisław Zaremba)Habilitation at the JagiellonianU. in 1932 (thesis “Zagad-nienia metryczne geometriiMinkowskiego").Since 1930, conducts contractlectures at the Jagiellonian U.Professor in 1939.


Stanisław Gołab (1902-1980), II

Student (starting in gymnasium) and ultimate successor of AntoniHoborski, who influenced his interests in geometry. In 1924becomes an assistant in the Chair of Mathematics at the Academyof Mining.In 1928, on a scholarship from the Ministry of ReligiousDenominations and Public Education, goes to Delft to work with J.A. Schouten. In 1929-1930 goes again to Delft, then to Rome andPrague.Arrested in Sonderaktion Krakau and taken to concentrationcamps (Sachsenhausen, then Dachau). Released in December1940 , works in forestry administration, also taking part inclandestine teaching.After 1945, works at the Academy of Mining,becoming an ordinaryprofessor in 1948. In 1950-55 works as a contract professor at thePedagogical College in Kraków, and in 1954 transfers to theJagiellonian U.


Stanisław Gołab (1902-1980), III

In 1939, while working on the theory of geometric objects, Gołabgave the first exact definition of a pseudogroup of transformations.Gołab promoted the methods of functional equations in geometry,starting with the so-called translation equation. He wrote amonograph “Functional Equations in the Theory of GeometricObjects" (1960, joint with J. Aczél). Having supervised severalPhD candidates in the field, he is considered to be the foundingfather of the Polish school of functional equations.In metric geometry, Gołab proved in 1932 that the perimeter of theunit disk in the plane with a Minkowski norm can take any valuebetween 6 and 8, and the extremal values are taken if and only ifthe disk is a regular hexagon or a parallelogram.Gołab was also interested in history of mathematics. He edited themonograph “Studies in the history of the chairs in mathematics,physics and chemistry of the Jagiellonian University" (1964).


(Anna) Zofia Krygowska (neé Czarkowska;1904-1988), I

Studies at the Jagiellonian U. in1923-1927 (briefly also at U. ofWarsaw) .PhD at the Jagiellonian U. in1950 (thesis “On the limits ofrigor in the teaching of elemen-tary geometry"; supervisor T.Wazewski)Extraordinary professor in 1963,ordinary in 1974 (the Pedagogi-cal College in Kraków).


Zofia Krygowska (neé Czarkowska; 1904-1988), II

Passes the teacher’s license examination and teaches inelementary and high schools. Engages in the activities of theMethodological Center for Mathematics.During WW II works as an accountant in a lumber company, whilealso travelling on behalf of the underground educationalauthorities to organize, teach and coordinate illegal classes(particularly in Podhale region).In 1945 resumes her work as a high school teacher. In 1950 takesa full-time position at the Pedagogical College in Kraków. Beginsactive efforts to modernize the education of teachers and to makedidactics of mathematics a research discipline in its own right.Heads first the Chair of Geometry and then the Chair of Didacticsof Mathematics.Becomes active in the Commission for the Study andImprovement of Mathematics Teaching (CIEAEM), founded in1950. Serves as a president, then as a honorary president.


Zofia Krygowska (neé Czarkowska; 1904-1988), III

Starting in 1937, Krygowska published several school textbooks.In 1955 she wrote a logic textbook jointly with J. Lesniak and S.Gołab. In 1967-71 she wrote or co-wrote five textbooks ingeometry, subsequently adopted for high school use. She favoredbringing new directions in mathematics into school-leveleducation.In her PhD thesis Krygowska developed and studied an originalsystem of axioms of geometry and proved its equivalence toHilbert’s system.Krygowska created a series of lectures for teachers broadcast byPolish state television in 1968-77. She founded the journal“Dydaktyka Matematyki" (1982) published by Polish MathematicalSociety and edited it until her death.Since her youth, Krygowska had a passion for mountaineering.She made a few first routes in the Tatra mountains, either inall-women teams or with her husband Władysław Krygowski.


Andrzej Turowicz (Fr. Bernard OSB, 1904-1989), I

Studies in mathematics atJagiellonian U. in 1922-28. Firstto get master’s degree.PhD at Jagiellonian U. in 1946(thesis “On continuous andmultiplicative functionals"; su-pervisor T. Wazewski)Habilitation in 1963 at the PolishAcademy of Sciences (a seriesof papers about “orientor fields",i.e., differential inclusions, andtheir applications to controlsystems).


Andrzej Turowicz (Fr. Bernard OSB, 1904-1989), II

In 1929-30 works as an assistant in the Chair of Mathematics ofthe Academy of Mining in Kraków, substituting for S. Gołab. In1931 takes a high school teacher’s qualifying exam and startsteaching in schools in Kraków and Mielec.In 1937, at the invitation of Antoni Łomnicki, becomes a seniorassistant in the Chair of Mathematics at Lwów Polytechnics.Teaches mathematics at the Polytechnics until 1941.In 1941 returns to Kraków and works as a clerk in the Chamber ofIndustry and Commerce, while also teaching analytic geometry atthe underground university and taking part in clandestine sessionsof the Polish Mathematical Society.In January 1945 crosses the frozen Vistula river to the TyniecAbbey and enters the Benedictine order, taking the name ofBernard. In the years 1946-50 studies theology. Ordained a priestin 1949.


Tyniec Abbey from the Vistula river side


Andrzej Turowicz (Fr. Bernard OSB, 1904-1989), III

Approached by Wazewski, contributes to revival of mathematicallife in Kraków. In 1946-52 and 1956-61 gives lectures inmathematics at the Jagiellonian University.In 1952-56– the Stalinist period in Poland–teaches mathematicsfor philosophers at the Catholic University of Lublin.In 1961 obtains a research position in the Mathematical Instituteof the Polish Academy of Sciences, thanks to Wazewski.Becomes an extraodinary professor in 1969. In 1970-73 teachesin the doctoral study program at the Faculty of Electrotechnology,Automated Control and Electronics of the Academy of Mining andMetalurgy. At the Tyniec Abbey, teaches history of monasticism tocandidates for the holy orders.


Andrzej Turowicz (Fr. Bernard OSB, 1904-1989), IV

In his PhD, Turowicz answered a question posed by StefanBanach and Meier Eidelheit. He presented some of his workbefore 1939 in Lwów and got praised by Banach.In Lwów, Turowicz worked with Stanisław Mazur on ageneralization of Weierstrass’ theorem on approximation ofcontinuous functions by polynomials, akin to theStone-Weierstrass theorem (Stone proved his versions in 1937and 1948). Their joint results were never published, even thoughMazur found the manuscript after World War II.Turowicz successfully collaborated with engineers on applicationsof mathematics to automated control theory. He co-wrote severalpapers and a monograph “Optimal Control" with Henryk Górecki.Turowicz was active in the Polish Mathematical Society startingfrom 1927. Since 1978 he collaborated with the Committee forHistory of Mathematics. He had an incredible memory and a giftof storytelling,


Stanisław Krystyn Zaremba (1903-1990), IStarts studying mathematics atJagiellonian U. in 1921. Con-tinues studies at the Sorbonnein 1924-27. Gets master’sdegree in mathematics fromJagiellonian U. in 1929.PhD from the Stefan BatoryUniversity in Wilno (thesis “Surl’allure des intégrales d’uneéquation différentielle ordinairedu premier ordre dans le voisi-nage de l’intégrale singulière";supervisor Juliusz Rudnicki).Habilitation at Jagiellonian U.in 1936 (thesis “On paratingentequations")


Stanisław Krystyn Zaremba (1903-1990), II

Son of Stanisław Zaremba, a professor of mathematics atJagiellonian U.Becomes an assistant at the Stefan Batory University in Wilno in1929. In 1937 returns to Jagiellonian U.When WW II breaks out, returns to Vilnius, then under Lithuaniancontrol. After the annexation of Lithuania by the Soviet Union in1940, goes to Stalinabad (now Dushanbe, in Tajikistan), where heworks as a professor of mathematics in the Pedagogical Institute.Along with the Polish Army (formed from Polish nationals in theUSSR under the command of General Władysław Anders) goesfirst to Persia, then to Palestine, teaching in high schools for thearmy. In 1946 works at the University of Beirut. Fearingpersecution or death from the new communist Polish authorities,decides to stay in the West.


Stanisław Krystyn Zaremba (1903-1990), III

From 1946 to 1952 works as a professor at the Polish UniversityCollege in London. In 1952 becomes a mathematical consultantfor Boulton Paul Aircraft Ltd. in Wolverhampton.In 1958-69 (with a break in 1966/67) lectures at the University ofWales.Spends the years 1969-76 in North America (Madison, WI, andMontréal, Québec). In 1976 returns to Wales. Before the martiallaw in 1981, frequently visits Poland, in particular Warsaw andKraków. Dies in Aberystwyth.

Zaremba was an active mountaineer. He made many first routesand winter ascents as a pioneer of snow mountaineering in Tatramountains. At his wish, his ashes were scattered over Tatra andthe mountains of Wales.


Stanisław Krystyn Zaremba (1903-1990), III

From 1946 to 1952 works as a professor at the Polish UniversityCollege in London. In 1952 becomes a mathematical consultantfor Boulton Paul Aircraft Ltd. in Wolverhampton.In 1958-69 (with a break in 1966/67) lectures at the University ofWales.Spends the years 1969-76 in North America (Madison, WI, andMontréal, Québec). In 1976 returns to Wales. Before the martiallaw in 1981, frequently visits Poland, in particular Warsaw andKraków. Dies in Aberystwyth.Zaremba was an active mountaineer. He made many first routesand winter ascents as a pioneer of snow mountaineering in Tatramountains. At his wish, his ashes were scattered over Tatra andthe mountains of Wales.


Stanisław Krystyn Zaremba (1903-1990), IV

In his habilitation Zaremba introduced paratingent equations, ageneralization of differential equations nowadays known asdifferential inclusions.In 1950s Zaremba collaborated with Zbigniew Łomnicki, agraduate in mathematics and physics of the Lwów University anda fellow emigré, on the theory of time series. They published 8joint papers.In recent years, there has been substantial interest in so-calledZaremba’s conjecture. Stated in 1971, it postulates the following:there is an universal integer constant K > 0 such that for everyinteger d > 0 there exists an integer b coprime with d , 1 6 b < d ,such that all partial quotients of the continued fraction expansionb/d = [0;a1,a2, ...,ak ] satisfy ai 6 K . In a recent paper by J.Bourgain and A. Kontorovich (Annals of Math., 2014), theconjecture was proved for almost all d (in the sense of density)with K = 50.


Adam Bielecki (1910-2003), IStudies at the Jagiellonian U. in1928-31.PhD in 1935 at JagiellonianU. (thesis “On integral rep-resentation of m-dimensionalsurfaces contained in the n-dimensional euclidean space byimplicit functions"; supervisorWitold Wilkosz).Habilitation in 1949 at the U.of Maria Skłodowska-Curie inLublin (thesis “Sur certainesconditions nécessaires et suff-isantes pour l’unicité des solu-tions des systèmes d’équationsdifférentielles ordinaires et deséquations au paratingent").


Adam Bielecki (1910-2003), II

In 1935-36 works in the Theoretical Physics Seminar at theJagiellonian University, becoming a senior assistant in the Chair ofTheoretical Physics in 1936.Arrested in the Sonderaktion Krakau, taken toSachsenhausen-Oranienburg and to Dachau. Released in April1940, returns to Kraków. Teaches part-time at the VocationalSchool of Construction in Kraków. Starting in 1942, becomesactive in clandestine teaching in the underground Jagiellonian U.In 1945, decides to return to mathematics. Works at the IMathematical Laboratory at the Jagiellonian U. From 1945 to 1947works as a deputy professor and a head of the Chair ofMathematics at the Faculty of Engineering of the Academy ofMining in Kraków.In 1947 called to Lublin to assume the Chair of MathematicalLogic and Foundations of Mathematics at the MariaCurie-Skłodowska University.


Adam Bielecki (1910-2003), III

In his PhD, Bielecki solved the problem of equivalence of theimplicit and parametric representations of hypersurfaces using thetechnique of C∞-partition of unity, later reintroduced and refinedby Laurent Schwartz.Bielecki’s best-known and most-cited result (from 1956) is amethod of proving existence of solutions of differential and integralequations. It consists in a suitable change of a norm in therelevant space of functions so that a certain operator becomes acontraction and Banach Fixed Point Theorem can be applied.Bielecki’s result in foundations of geometry concerns reducing thenumber of axioms given by Hilbert for Euclidean geometry (whileweakening some of them) and the proof of independence of thesystem obtained.In 1970s Bielecki delivered lectures and created lesson plans forteachers as a part of Radio and Television Teachers’ Universityeducational program.


Danuta Gierulanka (1909-1995), I

Studies at the Jagiellonian Uni-versity in 1927-1932 (master’sthesis “Periodic solutions ofdifferential equations").PhD in psychology 1947 at theHumanistic Faculty of Jagiel-lonian University (thesis “Onacquiring geometrical notions";supervisor Władysław Hein-rich).Habilitation in 1962 at Jagiel-lonian U. (thesis “The problemof specificity of mathematicalcognition").


Danuta Gierulanka (1909-1995), II

Passes the teaching license examination in 1933. Teachesmathematics, physics, chemistry and propaedeutics of philosophyin gymnasia. In 1938 starts doing research on the problems ofpsychology of thinking.During WW II supports herself by giving private lessons andworking in offices of commerce. Takes part in clandestineteaching.In 1945 nominated to the post of the senior assistant in theLaboratory of Experimental Psychology of the Jagiellonian U. In1953 transferred to the post of adiunkt in the Chair ofMathematical Analysis in the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics andChemistry at the Jagiellonian U.In 1957 returns to the Laboratory of Experimental Psychology. In1958 becomes an adiunkt in the Chair of Philosophy. Despitehabilitation in 1962, fails to get the position of a docent in theChair of Philosophy and is transferred to the Chair of Psychology.


Danuta Gierulanka (1909-1995), III

Gierulanka’s experimental research concerned the thoughtprocesses related to forming geometrical notions. She alsoinvestigated understanding (exemplified by learning mathematicsfrom textbooks).Since 1946 Gierulanka participated regularly in lectures andseminars by Roman Ingarden (an outstanding Polish philosopherrepresenting phenomenology), who influenced her views. In herhabilitation she approached the problem of mathematicalcognition as a philosopher, although she also used somepreviously collected psychological materials.Gierulanka also did editorial and translatorial work. She took partin translating some of Ingarden’s works from German to Polishand in editing his collected works. She translated the first andsecond volume of Husserl’s “Ideas of pure phenomenology andphenomenological philosophy", and (together with her brotherJerzy Gierula) “On the problem of empathy" by Edith Stein.


Tadeusz Rachwał (1914-1992), I

Studies at the Jagiellonian U. inmathematics in 1932-1936.The candidate of sciences de-gree (PhD equivalent) in 1955(thesis “A study of the orderof tangency of a regular curvewith a strictly tangent ball";supervisor T. Wazewski).Habilitation in 1962 at the Tech-nical U. of Kraków (thesis “On acertain mapping of one-sheetedhyperboloid onto a plane").


Tadeusz Rachwał (1914-1992), II

In 1936 starts working in the Chair of Mathematics of theAcademy of Mining in Kraków, also taking up the course of studiesat the Faculty of Mining.During WW II works as a measuring technician at the HydrologicalSubdivision in the region of Jasło, and then as an accountant inKraków. Also fights in the Home Army.In 1945 resumes his work at the Academy of Mining, as a seniorassistant. In 1950 finishes his studies at the Faculty of Mining. In1951 becomes a deputy professor and the head of the Chair ofDescriptive Geometry. In 1971 becomes an extraordinaryprofessor.Initiates a long-term collaboration between the Institute ofMathematics of the Academy of Mining and Metalurgy and thelignite mines in Turoszów and Konin and the sulphur mine inGrzybów. Publishes research works and textbooks in geometryand applied mathematics.


Roman Leitner (1914-2008), I

Studies in mathematics andphysics at the Jagiellonian U. in1932-1937.PhD in 1949 (supervisorTadeusz Wazewski).Becomes a docent in 1954.


Roman Leitner (1914-2008), II

Passes the teaching license examination in 1937. Teaches in theIII State Gymnasium in Kraków and works voluntarily as an unpaidassistant at the Jagiellonian U., in Stanisław Zaremba’s chair.During WW II involved in the clandestine teaching; in 1943-44goes into hiding. In 1944 joins the Polish People’s Army. Becomesan officer of field artillery and a lecturer in the Officers’ School ofShellproof Weapons (first in Chełm, then in Modlin).Released from the army in 1946, returns to the Jagiellonian U.and becomes a senior assistant. Gives lectures in mathematics toteachers studying for professional development at the HigherPedagogical Study in Katowice and conducts summer courses forhigh school teachers.In 1951 called to be a deputy head of the Chair of Mathematics ofnewly founded Military Academy of Technology in Warsaw. Workson differential and integral equations and teaches mathematics forapplications in modern military technology. Head since1957.


Antoni Bielak (1910-1991)

Master’s degree at the Jagiel-lonian U. in 1939.During WW II a member ofthe Underground State Exam-ination Committee for maturityexams.After 1945 teaches in gymnasiaand lycea in Kraków; from1952 to 1972 in A. WitkowskiV Lyceum. Organizes andteaches classes for giftedyouth.Teacher of Zdzisław Opial,Andrzej Lasota, WłodzimierzMlak, Antoni Leon Dawidowicz,and others.


Acknowledgments

Picture of Antoni Bielak by K. Małachowski. Other pictures fromarchives, Google images and Wikimedia Commons.

Thank you!


Some distinguished graduates of Jagiellonian University, 1918-1939

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