In February it will be 50 years since the day when an academician Borys Paton was elected to be the president of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (then the name of main scientific establishment of the republic sounded a little different). Everything is comparative.
Known and correct words, nothing can be compared with the fact given, however. No analogues in the whole history of national and world science can be found to the scientific experience of Paton, taking into account its duration and many-sided nature.
It is quite difficult to select some episodes, verges and events in the scientific biography of academician Paton. Only the list of his titles, positions, images, ranks, honours and rewards would take more place than all magazine publication. It is interesting that Paton was born in the same year and on the same date when the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences was founded – on the 27th of November 1918. And here already for already half a century he has headed it, having become its symbol, brand and talisman.
Oleksandr MALIYENKO
Українська редакція
