Ion Barbu

Ion Barbu, born Dan Barbilian, was a Romanian poet and mathematician. His work in mathematics is recognized by the Mathematics Subject Classification number 51C05, a posthumous honor for pioneers in mathematical research. As a poet, he is celebrated for his volume "Joc secund" ("Mirrored Play"), where he sought to integrate the virtues he found in mathematics into his poetry. His early life was marked by a talent for mathematics, publishing in Gazeta Matematică, and a passion for poetry. His studies were interrupted by military service during World War I, but he completed his undergraduate degree in 1921. Despite struggles with addiction and health issues, Barbu made significant contributions to both literature and mathematics, becoming a notable figure in Romanian modernism.