While Mittag-Leffler was in Berlin he learnt that the professor of mathematics at Helsingfors (today called Helsinki), Lorenz Lindelöf, the father of Ernst Lindelöf, was leaving the chair to take up an administrative post. Mittag-Leffler wrote about these events:
Habang Mittag-Leffler ay sa Berlin siya learnt na ang mga propesor ng matematika at Helsingfors (ngayon tinatawag na Helsinki), Lorenz Lindelöf, ang ama ng Ernst Lindelöf, ay umaalis sa upuan na tumagal ng isang administrative post. Mittag-Leffler wrote ukol sa mga kaganapan: