Renowned Mathematician and Statistician CR Rao Passes Away at 102
Calyampudi Radhakrishna Rao, widely known as CR Rao, a legendary mathematician and statistician, has passed away at the age of 102. He was residing in the USA at the time of his passing.
Born into a Telugu family in Hadagali, Bellary, India, CR Rao completed his schooling in various locations before pursuing an MSc in Mathematics from Andhra University and an MA in Statistics from Calcutta University in 1943. He earned his PhD degree from King’s College, Cambridge University, under the guidance of RA Fisher in 1948, and later a DSc degree from the same institution in 1965.
CR Rao’s contributions to statistics are vast and span various fields, earning him the nickname of the most distinguished exponent of the subject. He recently received the International Prize in Statistics, often regarded as the Nobel Prize equivalent for statistics.
In recognition of his work, the CR Rao Advanced Institute of Mathematics and Statistics and Computer Science was established at the University of Hyderabad in his name. He held 39 doctorates from 19 countries, presented 477 research papers, and authored 15 books.
His accolades include the Padmabhushan in 1968, Padma Vibhushan in 2001, and the SS Batnagar award. In 2002, he was honored with the highest award for science in the USA, the National Medal of Science, presented by then-President George Bush.
CR Rao’s contributions have left an indelible mark on the field of mathematics and statistics, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of scholars and researchers around the world.
