  The biography of Vladimir Platonovich Tsesevich (11.11.1907 - 28.10.1983), a
leader of the astronomy in Odessa from 1944 to 1983, is briefly reviewed, as
well as the directions of study, mainly the highlights of the research of
variable stars carried out by the members of the scientific school founded by
him. The directions of these studies cover a very wide range of variability
types - "magnetic" and "non-magnetic" cataclysmic variables, symbiotic, X-Ray
and other interacting binaries, classical eclipsers and "extreme direct
impactors", pulsating variables from DSct and RR through C and RV to SR and M.
Improved algorithms and programs have been elaborated for statistically optimal
phenomenological and physical modeling. Initially these studies in Odessa were
inspired by ("with a capital letter") Vladimir Platonovich Tsesevich. who was a
meticulous Scientist and brilliant Educator, thorough Author and the
intelligibly explaining Popularizer, persevering Organizer and cheerful Joker -
a true Professor and Teacher. He was "the Poet of the Starry Heavens".
