Prafulla Chandra Ray is a profound chemist and educationist. He hails from India and is often regarded as India’s father of Chemistry due to his discoveries, establishment of industries.
Chandra Ray also played a major part in the Indian wide acceptance of chemistry through the set up of a modern research chemistry school.
Below are a few things to know about the Indian father of chemistry.
Early Life and Background
Prafulla Chandra Ray was born on the 2nd of August, 1861, in the village of Raruli-Katipara, which was part of the Jessore District (now Dighalia, Khulna) in the eastern region of the Bengal Presidency (now Bangladesh). His father, Harish Chandra Raychowdhury, was a Kayastha zamindar, and his mother was Bhubanmohini Devi. Ray had four brothers and two sisters, most of whom survived to adulthood.
Education
After excelling in the Entrance Examination, Ray gained admission to Presidency College. There, he pursued a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Chemistry. Later, he became a teacher at City College in Calcutta.
Scholarship to Edinburgh
In 1882, Ray won a scholarship to study at Edinburgh University.
He had already graduated from the University of Calcutta in 1879.
His journey to Edinburgh marked a significant step in his academic and scientific career.
Degrees and Research:
Ray gained his BSc degree from Edinburgh in 1885.
Remaining at Edinburgh, he delved into research and was awarded a DSc (Doctor of Science) in 1887.
His thesis focused on the intriguing topic of “Conjugated Sulphates of the Copper-Magnesium Group: A Study of Isomorphous Mixtures and Molecular Combinations.”
Hope Prize and Impact:
Ray’s exceptional work earned him the prestigious “Hope Prize”.
His dedication to chemistry and scientific progress left a lasting impact on both India and the global scientific community.
Discoveries and Achievements
Prafulla Chandra Ray made significant contributions to science and industry when he was in active participation. Below are some of his achievements, establishment and discoveries.
Mercurous Nitrite Discovery: In 1896, Ray discovered the stable compound mercurous nitrite while studying nitrite and hyponitrite compounds. This groundbreaking finding added to our understanding of chemical reactions and compounds.
Bengal Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals: Ray established Bengal Chemical Works in 1892 with a modest capital. It later evolved into Bengal Chemical and Pharmaceutical Works Ltd (BCPW), India’s first pharmaceutical company. BCPW produced herbal products, indigenous medicines, and chemicals, becoming a leading player in the industry.
Historical Research: Ray’s scholarly pursuits extended to ancient texts. He authored “A History of Hindu Chemistry” in two volumes (1902 and 1908), shedding light on the rich heritage of Indian chemistry.
Wife, Children and Family
Chandra Ray had so much devotion for chemistry and industrialization but never got married nor had kids. He however was involved in a lot of philanthropic activities in his life time.
Death
Prafulla Chandra Ray passed away on June 16, 1944, at the age of 82 in Calcutta, Bengal, British India. His legacies linger on and he is always remebered on his birthday annually every August 2nd to celebrate his legacies and works.
