In the realm of mathematics and statistics, few figures stand as tall as Radhakrishna Rao. Born on September 10, 1920, in Hoovina Hadagali, Bellary, British India, Rao’s journey traversed continents and disciplines, leaving an indelible mark on academia and beyond. His tale is one of perseverance, brilliance, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge.
Early Life and Education of Radhakrishna Rao
Growing up as the eighth child in a Telugu family, Radhakrishna Rao’s educational odyssey unfolded in Gudur, Nuzvid, Nandigama, and Visakhapatnam, all in present-day Andhra Pradesh.
His academic prowess led him to Andhra University, where he earned an MSc in mathematics. Subsequently, he pursued an MA in statistics at Calcutta University in 1943. The journey reached its zenith with a PhD from King’s College, Cambridge, under the mentorship of R. A. Fisher in 1948, later augmented by a DSc from Cambridge in 1965.
A Storied Career
Radhakrishna Rao’s professional journey commenced at the Indian Statistical Institute and the Anthropological Museum in Cambridge. Over the years, he ascended to pivotal roles, including Director of the Indian Statistical Institute, Jawaharlal Nehru Professor, and National Professor in India.
His global impact extended to positions such as University Professor at the University of Pittsburgh and Eberly Professor at Pennsylvania State University.
As the head of the Research and Training School at the Indian Statistical Institute for over four decades, Radhakrishna Rao sculpted research and training programs, nurturing leaders in the field.
His influence rippled across borders, culminating in the establishment of the Statistical Institute for Asia and Pacific in Tokyo, a testament to his commitment to advancing statistical education worldwide.
Pioneering Contributions
Radhakrishna Rao’s legacy is punctuated by groundbreaking discoveries, including the Cramér–Rao bound and the Rao–Blackwell theorem, both instrumental in enhancing the quality of estimators.
His prolific career saw contributions to diverse domains such as multivariate analysis, estimation theory, and differential geometry. Noteworthy among his achievements are the Fisher–Rao theorem, Rao distance, and orthogonal arrays. With 14 books and over 400 journal publications to his credit, Rao’s intellectual breadth remains unparalleled.
A Tapestry of Honors
Awards and accolades adorned Radhakrishna Rao’s illustrious career, with 38 honorary doctoral degrees from universities worldwide. The United States National Medal of Science in 2002 and the India Science Award in 2010 underscore the global recognition of his contributions. Rao’s nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 reaffirmed his stature as a luminary in statistical science.
The Final Chapter
On August 22, 2023, C. R. Rao bid farewell at the age of 102 in Buffalo, New York. His passing left a void, but his impact reverberates through the annals of statistical science.
Legacy and Commemorations
Rao’s contributions continue to resonate through institutions bearing his name, including the C. R. and Bhargavi Rao Prize in Statistics at Pennsylvania State University and the CR Rao Advanced Institute of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science.
His influence extends further with the National Award in Statistics established by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India.
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