Who Is Lev Landau? Age, Biography and Wiki
Lev Landau was born on January 22, 1908, and passed away in 1968. As we reflect on his legacy in 2025, Landau remains a prominent figure in the world of physics, known for his groundbreaking work in quantum mechanics and condensed matter physics. His contributions garnered him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1962, a testament to his profound impact on the field.
| Occupation | Scientists |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 22, 1908 |
| Age | 60 Years |
| Birth Place | Baku, Caucasus Viceroyalty, Russian Empire |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | Russia |
| Date of death | 1 April, 1968 |
| Died Place | Moscow, Soviet Union |
Popularity
Lev Landau's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Lev Landau's physical stature is less documented than his scientific achievements. However, he was considered of average height, with some sources estimating that he stood around 5 feet 8 inches tall (approximately 1.73 m). His weight and other specific measurements are not widely recorded, focusing instead on his intellectual contributions.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Throughout his life, Landau was known to be quite private regarding his personal relationships. He was married to Lyudmila Landau, and they had a solid partnership that supported his career in academia. By the time of his passing, he had no publicly known girlfriend; his relationships were primarily centered around his family and colleagues in the scientific community.
Landau's father, David Lvovich Landau, was an engineer with the local oil industry, and his mother, Lyubov Veniaminovna Garkavi-Landau, was a doctor. Both came to Baku from Mogilev and both graduated the Mogilev gymnasium. He learned differential calculus at age 12 and integral calculus at age 13. Landau graduated in 1920 at age 13 from gymnasium.
His parents considered him too young to attend university, so for a year he attended the Baku Economical Technical School. In 1922, at age 14, he matriculated at the Baku State University, studying in two departments simultaneously: the Departments of Physics and Mathematics, and the Department of Chemistry.
Subsequently, he ceased studying chemistry, but remained interested in the field throughout his life.
Net Worth and Salary
While it is difficult to provide an exact figure for Lev Landau's net worth due to the lack of modern financial records, it is understood that he lived a modest lifestyle typical of many academics of his time. His earnings primarily came from his academic positions, grants, and research endeavors. If we were to estimate his contributions and legacy in today's terms, Landau's influence would undoubtedly be valued in the millions, owing to his significant advancements in physics.
Career, Business, and Investments
Lev Landau was a pivotal figure in the field of physics. His career spanned several decades, during which he contributed to various subfields, including low-temperature physics, quantum liquids, and theoretical models that formed the basis for modern condensed matter physics. He was instrumental in establishing the Landau-Lifshitz series of books on theoretical physics, which have become essential resources for students and professionals alike. Though his focus was on academic contributions rather than business ventures, his work has had a lasting impact on both theoretical and applied physics.
On 27 April 1938, Landau was arrested for the possession of a leaflet which compared Stalinism to German Nazism and Italian Fascism.
He was held in the NKVD's Lubyanka prison until his release, on 29 April 1939, after Pyotr Kapitsa (an experimental low-temperature physicist and the founder and head of the institute) and Bohr wrote letters to Joseph Stalin. Kapitsa personally vouched for Landau's behaviour and threatened to quit the institute if Landau was not released.
After his release, Landau discovered how to explain Kapitsa's superfluidity using sound waves, or phonons, and a new excitation called a roton.
Social Network
Lev Landau's social network primarily comprised fellow scientists, physicists, and mathematicians who shared his passion for exploration and understanding of the universe. He was a member of various scientific organizations, including the Academy of Sciences, where his work earned him respect and collaborations with other notable scientists. Online, discussions of Landau’s work and influence continue to flourish, especially on platforms like ResearchGate and various scientific forums.
In 1924, he moved to the main centre of Soviet physics at the time: the Physics Department of Leningrad State University, where he dedicated himself to the study of theoretical physics, graduating in 1927.
Landau subsequently enrolled for post-graduate studies at the Leningrad Physico-Technical Institute where he eventually received a doctorate in Physical and Mathematical Sciences in 1934.
Landau got his first chance to travel abroad during the period 1929–1931, on a Soviet government—People's Commissariat for Education—travelling fellowship supplemented by a Rockefeller Foundation fellowship. By that time he was fluent in German and French and could communicate in English. He later improved his English and learned Danish.
Education
Lev Landau's educational journey began in Baku, Azerbaijan, where he showed exceptional talent in mathematics and physics. He pursued higher education at Leningrad State University (now St. Petersburg State University), where he earned his degree in physics. His academic training laid the groundwork for his future discoveries and contributions to theoretical physics. Landau's exceptional intellect and innovative thinking reshaped the educational landscape of physics, inspiring countless students and researchers.
Landau developed a famous comprehensive exam called the "Theoretical Minimum" which students were expected to pass before admission to the school. The exam covered all aspects of theoretical physics, and between 1934 and 1961 only 43 candidates passed, but those who did later became quite notable theoretical physicists.
