Olli Lehto, Academician of Science, dies at 95

Academician of Science Olli Lehto (b. 1925) has died. Lehto was an internationally renowned mathematician, an important actor in university administration and also a non-fiction writer.

Lehto dedicated much of his career to working at the University of Helsinki as a long-standing professor of mathematics and as rector and chancellor. His research within mathematics focused on geometric function theory and quasiconformal mappings. He also wrote scientific monographs and textbooks that have long maintained a key role in the field. When he retired, he also wrote books on the history of science.

From 1970 to 1975, he held the post of Academy of Finland Research Professor. In addition, he was visiting professor at several foreign universities and held positions of trust in numerous Finnish and international scientific and cultural organisations. In 2009, he was granted the State Award for Public Information in recognition of his life’s work.

In 1975, Olli Lehto received the honorary title of Academician of Science, the highest honour that can be bestowed on any individual scientist in Finland.