# Boris N. Naumov

> Soviet computer scientist (1927-1988)

**Wikidata**: [Q4314341](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4314341)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/boris-n-naumov

## Summary
Boris N. Naumov was a prominent Soviet computer scientist and academician specializing in control theory. Born in 1927, he served as the Director of the Institute of Electronic Control Machines in Moscow from 1967 to 1983 and was a key figure in the development of Soviet computing, notably contributing to the SM EVM computer series. He was a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and a foreign member of the German Academy of Sciences at Berlin.

## Biography
- **Born:** July 10, 1927, in Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
- **Died:** June 11, 1988, in Moscow, Soviet Union
- **Nationality:** Soviet Union
- **Education:** Moscow Power Engineering Institute (1944–1950), Lomonosov Moscow State University
- **Known for:** Contributions to control theory and directing the Institute of Electronic Control Machines
- **Employer(s):**
    - Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (1948–1950)
    - V.A. Trapeznikov Institute of Control Sciences (1950–1967)
    - Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1958–1959)
    - Institute of Electronic Control Machines (Director, 1967–1983)
    - The Institute of Informatics Problems of The Russian Academy of Sciences (1983–1988)
- **Field(s):** Computer Science, Control Theory
- **Political Party:** Communist Party of the Soviet Union
- **Languages:** Russian, English

## Contributions
Boris N. Naumov's career was defined by his leadership in Soviet computer research and his technical contributions to control theory. He began his career at the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute before moving to the V.A. Trapeznikov Institute of Control Sciences. A significant aspect of his professional development included a stint at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the late 1950s (1958–1959), which was notable for a Soviet scientist during that era.

His most impactful administrative role was serving as the Director of the Institute of Electronic Control Machines (INEUM) in Moscow from 1967 to 1983. Under his leadership, the institute focused on the development of electronic control machinery. Naumov was specifically recognized for his work on the **SM EVM** (Series of Small Electronic Computers), a family of minicomputers compatible with the DEC PDP-11 architecture. For this work, he was awarded the **USSR State Prize**.

Later in his career, from 1983 until his death in 1988, he led the Institute of Informatics Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences. He also held a Doctor in Engineering degree, reflecting his deep involvement in academic research and technical engineering standards within the Soviet Union.

## FAQs

### Q: What was Boris N. Naumov's most significant award?
A: He received the **USSR State Prize** specifically for his scientific contributions to the creation of the **SM EVM** computer series.

### Q: Was Boris N. Naumov recognized internationally?
A: Yes, in 1987, he was elected a **foreign member** of the German Academy of Sciences at Berlin. Additionally, he spent time at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1958–1959.

### Q: What leadership roles did he hold in the Soviet scientific community?
A: He was the Director of the Institute of Electronic Control Machines (1967–1983) and subsequently headed the Institute of Informatics Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences (1983–1988). He was also an Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

## Why They Matter
Boris N. Naumov played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between theoretical control science and practical computing hardware in the Soviet Union. As the director of the Institute of Electronic Control Machines during a critical period (1967–1983), he oversaw the development and deployment of the SM EVM computer series. These machines were essential to the Soviet industrial and scientific infrastructure, providing a standardized platform for automation and data processing.

His career trajectory—from the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute to the highest echelons of the Academy of Sciences—demonstrates his versatility as both an engineer and an administrator. By fostering international connections, evidenced by his time at MIT and membership in the German Academy of Sciences, he helped integrate Soviet computer science with broader global scientific endeavors. His work ensured that Soviet industry had access to indigenous control systems and computing technology during the height of the Cold War.

## Notable For
- **Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences:** Elected as a corresponding member in 1976 and a full academician in 1984.
- **Director of INEUM:** Led the Institute of Electronic Control Machines for 16 years.
- **USSR State Prize Laureate:** Awarded for the SM EVM computer series.
- **Foreign Member:** German Academy of Sciences at Berlin (elected 1987).
- **Defense of Moscow:** Recipient of the Medal "For the Defence of Moscow," indicating his presence and contribution to the defense efforts during World War II.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Boris Nikolaevich Naumov was born on July 10, 1927, in Moscow. He pursued higher education at the Moscow Power Engineering Institute, graduating in 1950. He was also associated with Lomonosov Moscow State University.

### Career and Research
Naumov’s professional career began in aerospace research at the **Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute** (TsAGI) in Zhukovsky, where he worked from 1948 to 1950. He then transitioned to control sciences, joining the **V.A. Trapeznikov Institute of Control Sciences** in Moscow, where he remained until 1967.

During this period, he spent approximately one year (1958–1959) at the **Massachusetts Institute of Technology** in the United States, a significant cross-cultural academic exchange during the Cold War.

In 1967, Naumov was appointed **Director of the Institute of Electronic Control Machines (INEUM)** in Moscow. He led this institute for 16 years, focusing on the research and development of computer technologies. His leadership coincided with the development of the SM EVM, a project that earned him the USSR State Prize.

In 1983, he moved to lead the **Institute of Informatics Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences**, a position he held until his death on June 11, 1988.

### Awards and Honors
Throughout his career, Naumov received several high-ranking Soviet honors:
- **USSR State Prize** (for the SM EVM series)
- **Order of Lenin**
- **Order of the Red Banner of Labour**
- **Order of Friendship of Peoples**
- **Medal "For the Defence of Moscow"**

He was also a member of the **Communist Party of the Soviet Union**.

### Academic Affiliations
Naumov was deeply integrated into the Soviet and international scientific establishment.
- **Russian Academy of Sciences:** Elected Corresponding Member in 1976 and Academician in 1984.
- **German Academy of Sciences at Berlin:** Elected Foreign Member in 1987.

He passed away in Moscow in 1988 and was buried at Kuntsevo Cemetery.

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## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. Q136400721