Abram Fet Russian mathematician Date of Birth: . Country: Russia

1. Early Life and Education
2. Mathematical Contributions
3. Dissident Activities
4. Translation and Rehabilitation
5. Continued Mathematical Work and Activism
6. Later Years

Early Life and Education

Alexander Ivanovich Fet was born in Moscow in 1920. He earned his doctorate in physical and mathematical sciences from the Sobolev Institute of Mathematics in Novosibirsk.

Mathematical Contributions

Fet made significant contributions to the field of topology, particularly its applications to geometry and analysis. He is recognized for his collaboration with Lazar Aronovich Lyusternik, proving the celebrated Lyusternik-Fet theorem on closed geodesics in 1951.

Fet also collaborated extensively with physicist Yuri Borisovich Rumer, developing the theory of unitary symmetry of elementary particles and the theory of group classification of chemical elements.

Dissident Activities

Fet signed the "Letter of 46" in 1968, protesting the political trials of dissidents. Despite facing persecution from the government, he refused to recant and was subsequently dismissed from the Institute of Mathematics.

Translation and Rehabilitation

Fet supported himself by translating during his years of unemployment. He was fluent in six languages and translated works from twelve languages. Western pressure eventually led to his reinstatement as a research associate at the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, but he was prohibited from teaching.

Continued Mathematical Work and Activism

Undeterred by the restrictions, Fet continued to teach through private seminars in his apartment. He also refused the "doctor's order," a special food delivery service reserved for privileged scientists.

Later Years

Fet translated books on history, psychology, economics, and sociology. He also penned the book "Instinct and Social Behavior," published in 2005, which reflected his lifelong study of human behavior.

Alexander Ivanovich Fet passed away in 2003, leaving a lasting legacy as a mathematician, dissident, and scholar.