Nikolai Durov facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nikolai Durov
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| Николай Дуров | |
| Born | 21 November 1980 Leningrad, Soviet Union
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| Citizenship | Russia Saint Kitts and Nevis Latvia |
| Alma mater | Saint Petersburg State University, University of Bonn |
| Occupation | Programmer, mathematician |
| Known for | Founding VK Founding Telegram Messenger |
| Parent(s) |
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| Relatives | Pavel Durov (brother) |
| Awards | St. Petersburg Mathematical Society Young Mathematician Prize (2006) |
Nikolai Valeryevich Durov (born November 21, 1980) is a very smart Russian programmer and mathematician. He is the older brother of Pavel Durov. Together, they created two big online platforms: the social network called VK and the messaging app Telegram Messenger.
Contents
Early Life and Amazing Achievements
Nikolai was born into a Russian family. His father, Valery Durov, was a professor who studied languages. Even when Nikolai was very young, he showed how smart he was. People say he could read like an adult by age three. By age eight, he was solving complex math problems that most grown-ups find difficult.
Math and Computer Competitions
Nikolai was a superstar in international competitions.
- He won gold medals at the International Mathematical Olympiad three times: in 1996, 1997, and 1998. This is a huge achievement for young mathematicians.
- He also competed in the International Olympiad in Informatics, which is about computer programming. From 1995 to 1998, he won three silver medals and one gold medal.
- Later, while studying at Saint Petersburg State University, Nikolai was part of a computer programming team. With his friend Andrey Lopatin, their team won gold medals at the ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest World Finals in both 2000 and 2001. This contest is like the Olympics for college programmers.
His University Studies
Nikolai earned his first PhD (a very high university degree) in 2005 from Saint Petersburg State University. His special area of study was a new way to understand a complex math topic called "Arakelov Geometry." He then went to the University of Bonn in Germany. In 2007, he earned a second PhD, continuing his work on advanced geometry under the guidance of a famous mathematician named Gerd Faltings.
Career and Innovations
Nikolai Durov has used his incredible math and programming skills to create important technologies.
Research in Mathematics
Nikolai has done advanced research in mathematics. He developed new ideas in a field called "algebraic geometry." This work helps mathematicians understand complex shapes and structures using algebra. His research has influenced areas like "tropical geometry" and "absolute geometry." He also worked as a senior researcher at a famous math institute in St. Petersburg.
Creating Online Platforms
Nikolai has played a key role in building two very popular online services.
- He was a lead developer for VK, a large social networking site, until 2013. He helped build the technical parts of the platform.
- In 2013, he teamed up with his brother Pavel again. They created Telegram, a secure messaging app. Nikolai developed the special "MTProto protocol" that makes Telegram work. This protocol helps keep messages private and secure.
- It is also believed that Nikolai wrote the first detailed plan for TON (Telegram Open Network), which was a project for a new kind of internet platform.
See also
In Spanish: Nikolái Dúrov para niños
