Mathematical schools in interwar Poland and their relationships with international science

Abstract

In the interwar period Polish mathematics created two thriving schools of mathematics – in Warsaw and in Lviv. In Warsaw the creators were: Wacław Sierpiński, Zygmunt Janiszewski, Stefan Mazurkiewicz, and in Lviv – Hugo Steinhaus and Stefan Banach. Although for many years Polish independent state did not exist as such and the conditions for the development of indigenous science were highly unfavourable, both schools quickly recorded significant achievements. This success came primarily due to their engagement into new trends in practicing mathematics, the creating of specialized journals – „Fundamenta Mathematicae” and „Studia Mathematica”, as well as many scientific trips. The journals achieved international success. They were quickly recognized by foreigners as an appropriate forum for the presentation of their own research. „Fundamenta Mathematicae” became one of the world’s most important periodicals devoted to set theory, „Studia Mathematica” – functional analysis. With the increasing reputation of the Polish schools of mathematics, more and more of their representatives were invited by various foreign centres, both for short visits, as well as entire series of lectures. More and more foreign scholars, both well-known professors and scholarship holders, came to Warsaw and Lviv to work with the local mathematicians, deliver lectures and participate in conferences.