TITLE:
Contribution of A. Jakstas-Dambrauskas (1860-1938) to Mathematics in Lithuania
AUTHORS:
Juozas Banionis
KEYWORDS:
Philosophy, Theology, Fundamentals of Geometry and Trigonometry, Mathematical Terms, Popularisation of Mathematics, History of Mathematics in Lithuania
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Historical Studies,
Vol.6 No.1,
March
21,
2017
ABSTRACT: The article, dedicated to
prelate Aleksandras Dambrauskas (pseudonym: Adomas
Jakstas, 1860-1938), a Lithuanian encyclopaedist, Honorary Doctor of
Mathematics, summarizes the researcher’s mathematical works and highlights his
merits to the development of the science of mathematics in Lithuania. Most
frequently his activities are associated with theology, philosophy, literature
and politics. However, it is rarely mentioned that it was actually mathematics
which led A. Jakstas’ search to
be true and beautiful in
philosophy, literature and theology. Firstly, he stands out as a reviewer of
the fundamentals of geometry and trigonometry in the development of the science
of mathematics in Lithuania. The mathematical works that were written by the
prelate fall into three groups. The first group includes the original works
covering the field of fundamentals of trigonometry and geometry. The second
group embraces popularising and informative articles and booklets, and the
third group unites school textbooks on mathematics. A. Jakstas manifested
himself as a supporter of mathematics. The prelate was interested in problems
which could be practically applied in everyday life or were based on all the
generally accepted laws of the Universe. The major part of the mathematical
works by the prelate was devoted to school mathematics. Observing the dawn of
Lithuanian sciences, A. Dambrauskas’ significant contribution to mathematics in
Lithuania is acknowledged. Reading the mathematical works by the prelate, his
ability to fill them with humanist philosophy is admired. A. Dambrauskas is a
perfect example for all the mathematicians, and his mathematical works occupy
an honourable place in the history of mathematics in Lithuania. This article is
dedicated to A. Jakstas-Dambrauskas, an outstanding Lithuanian personality, who
left indelible marks in the Lithuanian culture and education. The latter merits
are usually enthroned, whereas the prelate’s mathematical works are often
neglected. In this article, the author returns to the mathematical contribution
of A. Dambrauskas, supplementing his presentation delivered in Lithuania in
2011 with new sources, and aims to familiarise readers with this exceptional
personality in English. To achieve the established goal not only already
published but also archived materials stored in the Office of the Central State Archive of Lithuania
and the Manuscripts Department of Vilnius University Library will be used. The
research employs the methods characteristic of research work in humanities:
text analysis, interpretation and historical description. Moreover, the criterion
of objectivity and the principle of historicism are followed to revive the
atmosphere of the end of the 19th century to the
beginning of the 20th century.