In Memoriam: Professor Alexander Ollongren
Professor Alexander Ollongren passed away on March 25 at the age of 96.
We remember him for the key role he played in establishing computer science at Leiden University. His contributions helped shape the field within our university.
Professor Ollongren started his academic career in galactic astronomy at Leiden Observatory, where he completed his doctoral research under the supervision of Professor van de Hulst. He studied the three-dimensional orbital motions of stars in the galaxy using the rudimentary computers available at the time. Recognizing the importance of computing, he became the first director of the Central Computing Institute in 1961, leading the operation and management of the university’s first transistor-based electronic computer.
In 1980, he was appointed Full Professor of Computer Science, specializing in the semantics of programming languages. He was instrumental in developing the field of Computer Science at Leiden and contributed to the foundation of what later became the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS). After his retirement in 1993, he remained active in research, publishing studies on interstellar communication with extraterrestrial civilizations well into his eighties.
Professor Ollongren’s work has left a lasting impact on many students, colleagues, and researchers, significantly influencing the development of interdisciplinary computing in science at Leiden University.
Marcello Bonsangue (Scientific Director LIACS)
Ignas Stellen (Scientific Director STRW)