Sir Prafulla Chandra Ray (1861–1944) was a true Renaissance man—a chemist, educator, historian, industrialist, and philanthropist whose legacy continues to inspire.
Known as the "Father of Indian Chemistry," Ray founded the first modern Indian research school in chemistry and established Bengal Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals, India's first pharmaceutical company.
In recognition of his groundbreaking contributions, the Royal Society of Chemistry honored him with the first-ever Chemical Landmark Plaque outside Europe—a testament to his impact on science beyond borders.
Ray was also a scholar with a deep respect for history, authoring A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century in 1902, a work that still stands as a significant contribution to the history of science.
He was a visionary who saw the potential for India to rise as a contributor to global knowledge. His reflections in his autobiography, Life and Experience of a Bengali Chemist, reveal the depth of his commitment to both science and his nation’s progress:
"While a student at Edinburgh I found to my regret that every civilized country including Japan was adding to the world’s stock of knowledge but that unhappy India was lagging behind. I dreamt a dream that, God willing, a time would come when she too would contribute her quota.
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In these days of awakened national consciousness, the life story of a Bengali chemist smacks rather of narrow provincialism. As there are two or three chapters which relate exclusively to Bengal, I have been reluctantly compelled to substitute Bengali for Indian. It will be found, however, that most part of the subject matter is applicable to India as a whole. Even the economic condition of Bengal applies mutatis mutandis to almost any province in India."
An opening line like this in the first chapter of that book is sure to make chemistry buffs interested -
"I was born on August 2, 1861. This year, it is interesting to note, is memorable in the annals of Chemistry for the discovery of thallium by Crookes."
Known for his support of the Indian independence movement, he discreetly provided shelter and food for revolutionaries at his factories. After his death, many of those he helped revealed his covert assistance in manufacturing explosives. The British government, which ruled India at the time, even referred to him as a "Revolutionary in the garb of a Scientist."