The Case of Academician Nikolai Nikolaevich Luzin

This book examines the tumultuous events surrounding Nikolai Luzin during a critical period in Soviet mathematics, detailing his struggles and the political climate of 1936.

In the summer of 1936, the Soviet school of mathematics faced a significant crisis that threatened its very foundation. The tensions between the younger generation of mathematicians and the established figures created an atmosphere of conflict and uncertainty. Concurrently, the Soviet leadership, including Stalin, was intent on 'Sovietizing' science, mandating that all scholarly works be published in Russian within the USSR. This shift marked the end of a tradition where many scholars published their findings in the West, leading to a restrictive environment for intellectual discourse.

The Case of Academician Nikolai Nikolaevich Luzin delves into the tumultuous events surrounding Nikolai Luzin, a prominent figure in the Soviet mathematical community. He became the target of a campaign aimed at aligning mathematics with state ideology, facing severe accusations that culminated in a public investigation. Luzin's situation was precarious, as he navigated the demands of a regime eager to control scientific thought while attempting to maintain his integrity as a scholar. Fortunately for Luzin, the abstract nature of his work in descriptive set theory made it challenging for ideologues to effectively attack him.

The book presents the transcripts of five crucial meetings of the Academy of Sciences commission that investigated the allegations against Luzin. These meetings, held in July 1936, are enriched with supplementary materials from the Soviet press, providing a comprehensive context for understanding the political and academic climate of the time. This exploration not only highlights Luzin's personal struggles but also reflects the broader implications for mathematics and science in a politically charged environment.