Professor Michał Majewski, born on August 31, 1930, in Korelicze near Nowogródek, joined the University of Lodz in 1955 as an assistant lecturer in the Department of Theoretical Physics. From 1958 he continued his work as a senior assistant lecturer, and then, from 1964, as an assistant professor. In 1964 he defended his doctoral dissertation in high-energy physics at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry of the University of Lodz. The topic of the dissertation was so-called multiparticle production. From 1984 Michał Majewski worked as a senior lecturer. He retired in 1995. The same year he defended his habilitation thesis at the High Energy Institute in Protvino near Serpukhov (Russia), focusing on the problems of the so-called mixing of states in hadron theory and the existence of exotic particles called glueballs, and returned to full-time work at the University of Lodz. He finally retired in 2005. He continued to work at the Faculty of Physics and Applied Informatics benefiting from the traditional privileges of employees at European universities, and the papers he published at that time were the part of the Faculty's scientific achievements.
Professor Michał Majewski is one of the most important figures in the history of theoretical physics at the University of Lodz. He was a mentor, advisor, and authority for several generations of theoretical physicists from Lodz, including Wacław Tybor, Jakub Rembieliński, Paweł Maślanka, Piotr Kosiński, and others. His intelligence, integrity, kindness, and intellectual honesty made a profound impression on everyone who encountered him. His contribution was not only conducting his own original research, but also in his willingness to help and share his extensive knowledge with others. Along with Professor W. Tybor, he is undoubtedly a co-founder of the Lodz School of Theoretical Physics.
From 1981 to 1984 Professor Michał Majewski served as Deputy Director of the Institute of Physics. He played a significant role in the development of the newly constructed Institute building. Largely his personal achievement was his smooth guidance of the Institute through the challenging period of early 90’s.
Professor Michał Majewski's extensive teaching activities deserve high recognition. He taught courses in thermodynamics, classical and quantum electrodynamics, classical and quantum mechanics, and general relativity. His classes were highly regarded by students. Almost all theoretical physicists currently working at the Faculty were his students. Professor Michał Majewski's work has been recognized by the scientific community which was reflected in the following awards: Krzyż Kawalerski Orderu Odrodzenia Polski, Złoty Krzyż Zasługi, Medal Komisji Edukacji Narodowej, Medal „UŁ w Służbie Społeczeństwu i Nauce” and Medal for special services to the University of Lodz „Universitas Lodziensis Merentibus”.
It is difficult to overestimate Professor Michał Majewski's contribution to the development of theoretical physics at the University of Lodz. This applies both to scientific aspects (he developed original methods for analyzing hadron masses, proposed an innovative approach to the problem of searching for so-called glueballs, which involved considering their hypothetical properties in the context of analyzing multiplets containing quark mesons; he was also a member of the Lodz team working on so-called quantum groups) and his personality: he was kind, helpful, ready to collaborate and exchange the ideas
Today, we remember Professor Majewski especially. He remains in our hearts forever.
