Studies in the matrix representability of abstract groups and in matrix groups

The author presents a summary of his dissertation in competition for the academic degree Doctor of Physicomathematical Sciences. The dissertation was defended on April 26, 1972, before the Academic Council of the Institute of Mathematics, Siberian Branch, Academy of Sciences of the USSR. The official opponents were Prof. D. M. Smirnov (Doctor of Physicomathematical Sciences), Prof. A. I. Starostin (Doctor of Physicomathematical Sciences of the Belorussian SSR and Doctor of Physicomathematical Sciences), and Prof. A. I. Shirshov (Corresponding Member of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR and Doctor of Physicomathematical Sciences).