R. P. Paranjpe

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Raghunath Purushottam Paranjpe (16 February 1876 – 6 May 1966) was the first Indian to achieve the coveted title of Senior Wrangler at St John's College, University of Cambridge, in 1899. He was a fellow of St John's (1899-1902) and returned to India to become Professor of Mathematics and subsequently Principal of Fergusson College in Pune. At a time of nationalist foment, he appeared often on the side of the (British) authorities.

At the same time he credited with being the first librarian of the Indian Mathematical Society in 1907 at Fergusson College^[1]. He also appeared in the documentary films Return of Wrangler Paranjpye (1902) and Delhi Durbar of Lord Curzon (1903), made by one of the earliest Indian documentary film-makers H. S. Bhatavdekar.

The film director and scriptwriter Sai Paranjpye is his granddaughter.

[edit] References

• R.P. Paranjpye, 84 Not Out, National Book Trust, New Delhi, 1961. Autobiography.