To the History of the Physical and Mathematical Research Institute of Saratov State University

Background and Objectives: We provide information about the foundation of the Research Institute of Mathematics, Mechanics and Physics at Saratov State University in 1937, its structure, topics and first director Viktor V. Wagner. Materials and Methods: The organizational and vital details that accompanied the process of foundation and work of the Institute are clarified using data from the State Archives of the Saratov Region and the archives of Saratov National Research State University. Results: The article presents basic information about the activities of the Institute in 1937–1941. The structure of the Institute reflected the areas of scientific research (in the field of physics, mathematics and mechanics) that were formed at SSU in the 1920–1930s and were recognized by the domestic and foreign scientific communities, including at the congresses of the Russian Association of Physicists in 1924–1928. The analysis is conducted in the context of the historical conditions of the 1930s. (in particular, the emergence of a personnel “hunger” at the University). The Head of the University, Gavriil K. Khvorostin, appointed Viktor V. Wagner as the director of the Institute, since he had witnessed the defense of his doctoral dissertation at the Council of the Research Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics of Moscow State University (April 1935). At the same time, Khvorostin invited a number of mathematicians and physicists from the capital to take up professorships at the University. In 1939, Professor Georgy P. Boev became the director of the Institute. The work of the Institute was interrupted in the autumn of 1941. In 1945, the staff of the former Institute continued their work at the revived Research Institute of Mechanics and Physics of Saratov University under the leadership of Professor Petr V. Golubkov. Conclusion: The use of archival materials and newspaper publications from the 1930s made it possible to present not only reliable facts from the history of Saratov State University, but also to reflect the color and characteristics of that time.