Dynkin is considered to be a rare example of a mathematician who made fundamental contributions to two very distinct areas of mathematics:
algebra and
probability theory. The algebraic period of Dynkin's mathematical work was between 1944 and 1954, though even during this time a probabilistic theme was noticeable. Indeed, Dynkin's first publication was in 1945, jointly with N. A. Dmitriev, solved a problem on the
eigenvalues of
stochastic matrices. This problem was raised at Kolmogorov's seminar on
Markov chains, while both Dynkin and Dmitriev were undergraduates. Of Dynkin's 1947 paper "Structure of semisimple Lie algebras",
Bertram Kostant wrote: Dynkin's 1952 influential paper "Semisimple subalgebras of semisimple Lie algebras", contained large tables and lists, and studied the subalgebras of the
exceptional Lie algebras.
Probability theory Dynkin is considered one of the founders of the modern theory of
Markov processes. The results obtained by Dynkin and other participants of his seminar at Moscow University were summarized in two books. The first of these, "Theory of Markov Processes", was published in 1959, and laid the foundations of the theory. Dynkin's one-hour talk at the 1962
International Congress of Mathematicians in
Stockholm, was delivered by Kolmogorov, since prior to his emigration, Dynkin was never permitted to travel to
the West. This talk was titled "Markov processes and problems in analysis". ==Prizes and awards==