Spiru Haret



Spiru Haret was a scientist, university professor, academician, minister of education, organizer and leader of social, economic, educational, cultural and journalistic activites. And he was an eminent mathematician.
The subject of the thesis he submitted for a doctor`s degree about the problem of the stability of our planetary system had been studied before by some famous astronomers as Kepler, Newton, Laplace upheld a theory according to which the solar system was stable. Spiru Haret mathematically proved that there are secular variations of the big axes and that we can therefore speak of an instability of our planetary system.
A hundred years ago, Spiru Haret laid the foundations of a modern courseon rational mechanics, a branch which has developed considerably in recent years. He was an excellent teacher an his punctuality and attractive lectures had a greatimpact on his students. Haret realized that a teacher should be not only a scientist, but also an educator, a man who trains his pupils to work hard and do their duty, who promotes patriotism, honesty and truth.
In recognition of his remarkable merits of a pioneer in astronomy on March 9, 1976, the director of Harvard University Observatory gave Haret`s name to a crater on the invisible side of the moon.
His educational activity was remarkable for his steady preoccupation to link school with life and practical activity. At university level greater emphasis was laid on practical which were promoted in laboratories, clinics, seminars. He associated theoretical study with practical training and scientific research.
Spiru Haret constantly supported the cause of the peasants by upholding the progressive thesis according to which it was not enough to allot land to the peasants; crops and farming techniques had to be improved – that is agriculture must be intensive and production must be turned to account. Haret also contributed to the preservation of our historical monuments b