Prafulla Chandra Ray was an Indian chemist and nationalist. He is known as the father of Indian chemistry. He was born in 1861 and died in 1944.
He was a professor of chemistry at Presidency College, Kolkata, and was also a member of the Bengal Chemical and Pharmaceutical Works, which he founded. He strongly advocated for Indian independence and contributed to the national movement through his writing and activism.
Prafulla Chandra Ray Biography
Prafulla Chandra Ray, born on August 2, 1861, in Raruli-Katipara, Khulna, Bangladesh, was a pioneering Indian chemist and educator.
The son of a Sanskrit scholar, Ray received a traditional Indian education, including Sanskrit studies, before graduating with a B.A. degree in Chemistry from the Scottish Church College in Kolkata in 1879.
He then pursued advanced studies at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, where he earned his PhD in Chemistry in 1884. Upon returning to India, Ray took up a position as a professor of chemistry at the Presidency College in Kolkata, where he taught for the next 35 years.
He was renowned for his significant contributions to the chemistry field and his efforts to modernize chemistry education in India.
| Name | Prafulla Chandra Ray |
| D.O.B | August 2, 1861 |
| Birth Place | Raruli-Katipara, Khulna, Bangladesh |
| Father Name | Harish Chandra Ray |
| Mother Name | Bhubanmohini Devi |
| Wife name | Updating Soon |
Professional life
His tireless work marked Prafulla Chandra Ray‘s professional life as a chemist and educator. He returned to India after obtaining his PhD from the University of Edinburgh. He took up a position as a professor of chemistry at the Presidency College in Kolkata, where he taught for the next 35 years. During this time, he conducted pioneering research in the field of chemistry and contributed significantly to understanding various chemical reactions and processes. He was particularly known for his work on synthesizing metal salts and studying the reactions of metals with organic compounds.
Ray was also a dedicated educator and was committed to modernizing the teaching of chemistry in India. He worked to improve the curriculum and the quality of teaching at the Presidency College. He helped establish the Department of Chemistry as one of India’s premier institutions for chemistry education. He also wrote several books on chemistry, including “A History of Hindu Chemistry” and “A Textbook of Inorganic Chemistry,” which were widely used in India and abroad.
In recognition of his achievements, Prafulla Chandra Ray was awarded the prestigious title of “Sir” by the British government in 1916, and in 1917 he was the fellow of the Royal Society. He passed away on June 16, 1944, but his legacy lives on in the many students he taught and his contributions to the chemistry field.
Prafulla Chandra Ray’s Wife, Children and Personal Life
Prafulla Chandra Ray, a pioneering chemist and educator, was born on August 2, 1861. Despite his achievements in chemistry, very little is known about his personal life. He was married and had children, but the details of his family life remain a mystery.
He dedicated himself fully to his work as a professor of chemistry at the Presidency College in Kolkata, where he worked for 35 years, and to his students, who he inspired and mentored. In addition to his work in chemistry, Ray was a deeply religious man devoted to the Hindu saint Ramakrishna. His strong spiritual beliefs were evident in how he lived his life, always striving for simplicity and humility.
Throughout his career, Prafulla Chandra Ray made significant contributions to the field of chemistry, including pioneering work in synthesizing new chemical compounds and studying the properties of chemical substances. He was also dedicated to modernizing the teaching of chemistry in India and was known for his efforts to bring the latest scientific knowledge to his students.
Today, Ray is remembered as a pioneering chemist and educator who made important contributions to the field of chemistry and worked tirelessly to improve science education in India. He lived a private and modest life, but his legacy is a testament to his dedication to science and improving the lives of those around him.
Prafulla Chandra Ray Inventions
Prafulla Chandra Ray made several important contributions to the field of chemistry, including several notable inventions. Some of his most significant inventions include:
- Synthesis of Mercurous Nitrite: Ray is credited with synthesizing mercurous nitrite for the first time, a significant achievement in the field of inorganic chemistry.
- Synthesis of New Chemical Compounds: Ray was also known for his work in the synthesis of new chemical compounds, including the synthesis of aniline blue, a type of dye used in the textile industry.
- Improved Method for Preparing Alizarin: Ray also developed an improved method for preparing alizarin, a natural pigment used in the dye industry.
- Research on Chemical Substances: Ray extensively researched chemical substances’ properties, including their solubility and reactivity.
- These inventions and discoveries demonstrate Prafulla Chandra Ray’s significant contributions to the field of chemistry and his dedication to advancing the study and understanding of chemical substances.
Prafulla Chandra Ray Discoveries
In addition to his inventions, Prafulla Chandra Ray made several important discoveries in the field of chemistry:
- Discovery of Dibenzalacetone: Ray discovered dibenzalacetone, a chemical compound widely used in synthesizing other chemicals.
- Study of Complex Chemical Reactions: Ray conducted extensive research on complex chemical reactions, making significant contributions to the field of chemical kinetics.
- Investigation of Photochemistry: Ray also investigated the photochemistry of chemical compounds, contributing to understanding light’s role in chemical reactions.
- Analysis of Chemical Properties: Ray analyzed the chemical properties of a wide range of substances, including acids, bases, and salts, and made important contributions to the field of analytical chemistry.
These discoveries demonstrate Prafulla Chandra Ray’s wide-ranging expertise in chemistry and his commitment to advancing the study and understanding of chemical substances.
Prafulla Chandra Ray Awards and Achievements
Prafulla Chandra Ray was an Indian chemist and educationist. Some of his notable awards and achievements include:
- Padma Bhushan: awarded in 1954 by the Indian government in recognition of his contributions to education and science.
- Asutosh Mookerjee Memorial Prize: awarded in 1915 by the University of Calcutta for his work in Chemistry.
- Royal Society of Chemistry (London) awarded him the Tilden Prize in 1928 for his contributions to the field of Chemistry.
- He was also honoured with the title of “Doctor of Science” (D.Sc.) by the University of London in 1923.
- Prafulla Chandra Ray received the C.I.E. (Companion of the Indian Empire) award from the British government.
- He was a fellow of several scientific organizations, including the Royal Society of Arts, London and the Chemical Society, London.
- In 1948, Prafulla Chandra Ray was awarded the prestigious “Rabindra Puraskar”, the highest literary award in West Bengal, India.
Prafulla Chandra Ray’s Contribution to Science
Prafulla Chandra Ray made several significant contributions to the field of chemistry. He is the first Indian chemist to have made a mark in science. Some of his notable contributions include:
Discovery of Mercurous Nitrite: Ray discovered Mercurous Nitrite, a new chemical compound, and published his findings in the Journal of the Indian Chemical Society.
Synthesis of new compounds: Ray synthesized several new chemical compounds, including phenol derivatives and cyanides, and studied their properties.
Research on Indian Medicinal Plants: Ray conducted extensive research on Indian medicinal plants and their properties and worked to develop new medicines.
Study of dyes: Ray also contributed to the study of dyes and the chemical processes involved in dyeing.
Overall, Ray’s work helped lay the foundations for the development of the chemical industry in India and had a lasting impact on the field of chemistry.
Prafulla Chandra Ray Books
Prafulla Chandra Ray wrote several books and articles on chemistry and the Indian independence movement. Some of his notable works include:
- A History of Hindu Chemistry: This book, published in 1902, provides a comprehensive overview of the history of chemistry in ancient India, including the contributions of Indian chemists and their impact on the field.
- Chemical Examination of Ancient Hindu Coins: This book, published in 1906, details Ray’s research on ancient Hindu coins and the methods used to analyze their composition.
- The Principles of Chemical Philosophy: This book, published in 1909, is a treatise on the basic principles of chemistry, including the study of chemical reactions and the properties of substances.
- The Economic History of India: This book, published in 1917, provides a historical overview of the Indian economy and its development from ancient times to the present day.
- Nationalism and Chemical Industry in India: This article, published in the Journal of the Indian Chemical Society in 1918, argues for the importance of developing a strong chemical industry in India to support the national independence movement.
Prafulla Chandra Ray Quotes
Here are some well-known quotes by Prafulla Chandra Ray:
- “Education is the manifestation of the perfection already in man.”
- “True education is that which liberates.”
- “Science is not only a discipline of reason but also one of romance and passion.”
- “The study of science leads to a deepening of the sense of wonder and mystery” of life.
Prafulla Chandra Ray was greatly influenced by who?
Prafulla Chandra Ray was greatly influenced by several notable scientists and thinkers, including:
- Michael Faraday: Ray was deeply impressed by Faraday’s work on electromagnetism and chemical reactions, and he sought to apply Faraday’s ideas to his research in chemistry.
- Antoine Lavoisier: Ray was influenced by Lavoisier’s work on the fundamental principles of chemistry, including the concept of conservation of mass and the role of oxygen in chemical reactions.
- Ram Mohan Roy: Ray was inspired by Ram Mohan Roy’s advocacy for Indian independence and his efforts to modernize Indian society. He saw Roy as a model of how science and nationalism could be combined to promote social and political change.
- Jyotirao Phule: Ray was also influenced by Jyotirao Phule, a social reformer and advocate for the rights of women and lower castes in India. He was inspired by Phule’s efforts to promote social justice and equality in Indian society.