Georgi Bradistilov

Georgi Delchev Bradistilov (Bulgarian: Георги Делчев Брадистилов; 25 October 1904 [12 October 1904 O.S.] – 18 June 1977) was a Bulgarian mathematician.[3]

Georgi Delchev Bradistilov
Born(1904-10-12)12 October 1904 O.S.[1]
Panagyurishte,[2] Principality of Bulgaria
Died18 June 1977(1977-06-18) (aged 72)
Sofia, People's Republic of Bulgaria
Resting placeCentral Sofia Cemetery
42°42.788′N 23°20.077′E
NationalityBulgaria
Alma materSofia University
University of Munich
Scientific career
FieldsMathematics
InstitutionsSofia University
Sorbonne
University of Munich
Technical University of Sofia
Doctoral advisorOskar Perron
InfluencesÉlie Cartan
Jacques Hadamard
Constantin Carathéodory
Arnold Sommerfeld

Biography

Georgi Bradistilov, the only son of a high-ranked civil servant at Bulgarian Ministry of Finance, Delcho Bradistilov, and Nona Bradistilova (née  Motekova), was born on 12 October 1904 OS in Panagyurishte. He attended 3rd Sofia gymnasium and in 1922 entered Sofia University to study physics and mathematics. In 1927 he graduated with honors and the same year was appointed as assistant professor in mathematics. In the 1930s he studied at the University of Paris and the University of Munich. Bradistilov was one of the last students to take Arnold Sommerfeld's course in theoretical physics before his retirement. In 1938, he defended his doctorate, with Oskar Perron as advisor, at the University of Munich.

Upon his return to Bulgaria Dr Bradistilov taught as private docent at his alma mater Sofia University. In 1943 he joined as extraordinary professor and later as full professor the newly established Higher Technical School in Sofia, which after the Second World War was renamed the State Polytechnic. Apart from his teaching duties, he wrote the basic mathematics textbooks used for many years by future Bulgarian engineers.

He was rector of the State Polytechnic in Sofia from 1947 to 1948 and rector of the Technical University of Sofia from 1962 to 1966. In 1958 he was awarded Doctor of Mathematics and Physics Science Degree. In 1966 he was elected corresponding member of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

Georgi Bradistilov's contributions to applied mathematics are related to nonlinear differential equations and their applications to mechanics and electrotechnics, to electrostatic potential, to nonlinear oscillations.[4]

He was notorious for his sense of humour and openness, for his love of arts and nature as well as for his refined taste, his wife being an artist educated in Florence.

Honors

During his lifetime Georgi Bradistilov received many Bulgarian state decorations and awards. Recently a street in Sofia near the Technical University was named after him.

Selected bibliography
The grave of Georgi Bradistilov and his wife Dobrina Bradistilova at Sofia Central Cemetery (42°42.788′N 23°20.077′E)

Notes
  1. During Bradistilov's childhood, several calendars were in use in Europe, including: the Julian or 'Old Style' in Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, Romania, Russian empire, and the Gregorian or 'New Style', in use in other parts of Europe and elsewhere. At Bradistilov's birth, Gregorian dates were 13 days ahead of Julian dates.
  2. "Брадистилов, Георги Делчев". Encyclopedia of Panagyurishte (1 ed.). Sofia: Bogianna. 2007. p. 54. ISBN 978-954-676-070-8.
  3. O'Connor, J.J.; Robertson, E.F. "Georgi Delchev Bradistilov". Retrieved 3 February 2020 – via MacTutor History of Mathematics archive.
  4. "Брадистилов, Георги Делчев". Кратка българска енциклопедия. I (1 ed.). София: Българска академия на науките. 1963. p. 283.

References
  • Elena Vurbanova (2004), Academic Speech Delivered on the Occasion of the 100 Anniversary from the Birth of Professor Georgi Bradistilov, Sofia: Technical University. (in Bulgarian).
  • Georgi Gemidzhiev (2009), History of Panagyurishte (1878–1944), Sofia: Bogianna, at 537, ISBN 978-954-676-081-4. (in Bulgarian).
  • Казват че: Весели случки из живота на Алма Матер (събрали Румен Яновски и Димитър Томов). Софийски университет "Климент Охридски", стр. 7, 8, 25. 1984.
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