On September 29, 2022, Andrei Leonovich Toom passed away in New York after a long
and serious illness at the age of 80. Mathematician, teacher, literary scholar. He graduated from
the Mechanics and Mathematics Department of Moscow State University. Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. He worked at universities in Russia, Italy, the USA, and Brazil. His research in the field of theoretical mathematics and mathematical education has gained worldwide fame. His pedagogical essay “Russian Teacher in America,” published in the journal “American Educator” (1992), caused an unprecedented reader response. While working at the University of Pernambuco in Brazil (1998-2012), Andrei Leonovich headed the research on the topic of “Modern Probability Theory and Its Applications” and created his own scientific school.

Since 1980, he has been actively working on the literary legacy of his grandfather, the poet Pavel Grigorievich Antokolsky: he compiled and published a two-volume collection of “Selected Works” by P.G. Antokolsky (Moscow, 1986), the book “Memories of Pavel Antokolsky” (Moscow, 1987), and the book “Pavel Antokolsky. Diary. 1964–1968” (St. Petersburg, 2000). The book “The Name of This Friendship is Poetic Brotherhood” was about the creative union of P.G. Antokolsky and M.I. Tsvetaeva; it was published in collaboration with A.I. Toom (LITRES, 2022).

Andrey was a very gifted person. Mathematics, which he studied since childhood, was as close to him as the humanities became in later years: he easily mastered psychology, philology, and linguistics. Even his family never ceased to be amazed at how much he knew–about literature, history, politics, culture–and his knowledge went far beyond the borders of Russia. He was also fluent in French, English, and Portuguese; he learned Portuguese when he was already over fifty in order to give lectures on mathematics to Brazilian students.

He grew up in a family of writers, surrounded by bright and talented people from childhood. He himself became an exceptional person–in everything, even in how modestly he lived–as if under the slogan “It is not beautiful to be famous.” An extraordinary scientist. A unique teacher. A worthy and bright person. This is how he will remain in the memory of all those who knew him.

Published in the magazine “Seven Arts”, No. 11 (150), November 2022.