24/09/2021

Lélio Gama left his mark on the history and map of Rio de Janeiro.

Integrantes do CNPq, na posse do 1º diretor do IMPA, Lélio Gama (6º)/ Crédito: acervo Museu de Astronomia e Ciências Afins (MAST)

Authors of discoveries that changed the destiny of humanity, such as GPS, it is only fair to honor mathematicians, as Marcelo Viana, director-general of IMPA, has already reinforced in a column in Folha de S.Paulo . At IMPA, there is no shortage of examples of researchers who have made significant contributions to the field. One of them also left his mark on the geography of Rio de Janeiro. With an extensive career that includes the position of director of IMPA and the National Observatory, the mathematician and astronomer Lélio Itapuambyra Gama (1892-1981) gives his name to a street in the heart of downtown Rio de Janeiro, located next to the Petrobras headquarters. The tribute was obtained through Municipal Decree 3352 , in 1981, after years of Gama's contribution to the scientific development of Brazil.

Rua Lélio Gama fica localizada no coração do Centro do Rio de Janeiro / Crédito: Google Maps Street View

The former director of IMPA made history for his solid reputation as a talented scientist, as well as his proficiency in classical mathematics. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Gama began his career as an engineer and later joined the National Observatory, where he served as director between 1951 and 1967. Crowning years of contribution to the Brazilian mathematical landscape, the intellectual was also the first director of IMPA between 1952 and 1966, being part of the institute's founding.

According to Lindolpho de Carvalho Dias, Gama's successor as director of IMPA, his colleague was an extremely important figure in the history of mathematics and astronomy. Dias draws attention to a curious coincidence. "Between 1967 and 1981, IMPA's headquarters were located in the city center, at Rua Luís de Camões, 68. The building on Camões, which once belonged to IMPA, is a 10-minute walk from the street chosen to honor Gama."

At 91 years old, Dias vividly remembers Professor Lélio Gama, with whom he shared some years at IMPA and for whom he has great admiration. He has nothing but praise for his colleague. “He was even better known as an astronomer, but he was also a good mathematician. Dr. Lélio was highly respected not only as a mathematician and astronomer, but as a person. He was an exceptional person,” comments the former director.

The legacy left by the mathematician is undeniable. At the time of its creation, the institute had only two young mathematicians, Leopoldo Nachbin (1922-1993) and Maurício Peixoto (1921-2019). Despite its modest beginnings, Gama's experience played a crucial role in consolidating the institute. And Nachbin and Peixoto would later be the first Brazilians invited to give lectures at the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM), one of the greatest distinctions in a mathematician's career.

Other interesting examples of tributes to mathematicians have already been portrayed by Viana in his column in Folha de S.Paulo. Check out the full text by visiting the newspaper's website .