Pavel S. Aleksandrov laid the foundation for the field of mathematics known as topology. In addition to writing the first comprehensive textbook on the subject, Aleksandrov introduced several basic concepts of topology and its offshoots, homology and cohomology, which blend topology and algebra. His important work in defining and exploring bicompact (compact or locally compact) spaces laid the groundwork for research done by other mathematicians in these fields.

The youngest of the six children of Sergei Aleksandrovich Aleksandrov and Tsezariia Akimovna Zdanovskaia, Pavel Sergeevich Aleksandrov was born in Bogorodsk, Russia, on May 7, 1896. A year later the family moved to Smolensk, where Aleksandrov's father became head doctor in the state hospital. Although educated mainly in public schools, Aleksandrov learned German and French from his mother, who was skilled in languages.

In grammar school Aleksandrov developed an interest in mathematics under the guidance of Aleksandr Eiges, his arithmetic teacher. Aleksandrov...