Konstantinos Karatheodori was one of the most important Greek scientists of the 20th century and one of the most luminous figures in the field of mathematics worldwide. His contribution to science, his connection with Albert Einstein and his dedication to Greek education make him a unique intellectual asset for Greece and the world community.

He was born in Berlin in 1873 to a family of Greek diplomats. He grew up in a multicultural environment, with influences from Europe and Asia Minor. He studied mathematics and physics in Berlin, Göttingen and Munich, and taught as a professor at major German universities such as Munich, Berlin and Leipzig.

His scientific work is immense: he made key contributions to Analysis, Measure Theory and Metamorphism, and developed his own version of the formulation of the theory of relativity, which brought him into scientific dialogue with Albert Einstein. Einstein, in fact, held Karatheodoris in high esteem and often referred to him with admiration, calling him a “true mathematician”.

But Karatheodori was not only a theoretician. He had a deep belief in applied knowledge and the power of education. In 1919, at the invitation of Eleftherios Venizelos, he undertook the planning and organization of the University of Smyrna. His vision was to create a modern Greek university in the heart of Ionia, combining knowledge with culture and national renaissance. Unfortunately, the destruction of Smyrna in 1922 did not allow the completion of this vision. Nevertheless, his archives and his work for the University of Smyrna remain as evidence of a great dream.

He was fluent in many languages and was always proud of his Greek ancestry. Although he was able to pursue a career exclusively abroad, he often offered his services in Greece and advised the Greek state on matters of education and scientific policy.

He died in 1950 in Germany, leaving behind a rich literary oeuvre and a radiance that continues to this day. Classrooms, educational institutions and scientific prizes bear his name, and his scientific legacy is still taught in universities around the world.

Constantine Karatheodori was not just a great scientist. He was a man who believed that science can change the world when combined with ethics, education and vision. And that is what makes him timelessly relevant.