Academician V.A. Steklov: Personality formation (life in Nizhny Novgorod)

The article describes Academician Vladimir Steklov's life in Nizhny Novgorod—his childhood and adolescence. The fact that the author of the present work is a distant family member of the literary critic and essay writer Nikolay Dobrolyubov accounts for some new information and the unusual way it is presented in the paper. Vladimir Steklov occupies a special place in the author's book Nizhny Novgorod's Intelligentsia: The Nikolay Dobrolyubov Circle as he was the son of Ekaterina, one of Nikolay's younger sisters. Dobrolyubov was both Steklov's relative and his kindred spirit. He always remained an icon for Steklov, which explains the scientist's desire to be buried near his renowned uncle at the Volkovo Cemetery. The distinct qualities of a patriot and citizen were nurtured in the future mathematician from his childhood, and he developed them during his life in Nizhny Novgorod.