Sebastião e Silva - Portugal

José Sebastião e Silva was one of the most remarkable Portuguese mathematicians. Combining a humanist culture with a vast scientific knowledge, he also distinguished himself as an educator.

 

He was born in Mértola on december 12th, 1914. He was full professor of the Institute of Agronomy and the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon, member of the Academy of Sciences and director of the Centre of Mathematical Studies of Lisbon, having influenced the academic development of many scientists and professors.

 

He was the author of numerous scientific articles which had a tremendous international impact and of teaching texts for university and pre-university education, which remain a reference to this day.

 

In 1968, as president of the Study Commission for the Modernisation of the Teaching of Mathematics in secondary education, he defended that «it is not the responsibility of the school to produce men-machines but, rather, to form thinking beings, with creative imagination and the ability to adapt».