Leonid Kantorovich

Leonid Kantorovich
Born	Leonid Vitalyevich Kantorovich 19 January 1912 Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire
Died	7 April 1986 Moscow, RSFSR, Soviet Union

Leonid Vitalyevich Kantorovich (Russian: Леони́д Вита́льевич Канторо́вич,; 19 January 1912 – 7 April 1986) was a Soviet mathematician and economist, known for his theory and development of techniques for the optimal allocation of resources. He is regarded as the founder of linear programming. He was the winner of the Stalin Prize in 1949 and the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1975 shared with Tjalling Koopmans.

In 1939 he presented the mathematical method of linear programming, applicable to maximize the effectiveness of economic variables such as productivity, raw materials and work. His theories were used to improve economic planning and resource allocation in the Soviet Union. Later, and independently, similar theories were developed by Koopmans and other economists.