About Aleksandr Lvovich Mints

Abstract

For most of us, the main thing in life (or at least in public activities) is work. This undoubtedly referred to Aleksandr Lvovich Mints. I myself belong to such people, and I believe this is the only explanation of my strange first reaction to the kind invitation to speak here today. Namely, without even thinking, I replied: “How can I give a talk? I have never ‘worked’ together with Aleksandr Lvovich.” But on thinking a little, I changed my mind at once. The memory of Aleksandr Lvovich is of course dear to me: we met rather frequently during the last eight years of his life, talked a lot, and, I daresay, were on friendly terms. That is why I have the right to speak. But the question is whether I shall be able to say something interesting, the more so as I have a poor memory (this does not concern my professional memory). For example, I do not even remember when I first met Aleksandr Lvovich.

This is a somewhat extended version of my talk at the A. L. Mints memorial meeting held on March 23, 1976 in the House of Scientists in Moscow.