Eight papers on nonlinear electromagnetic field theory secured the doctoral degree for B. S. Madhava Rao from the University of Calcutta in 1938. His academic contributions spanned the foundational study of relativistic wave equations and algebraic geometry, cementing his status as a central figure in Indian mathematical physics throughout the mid-twentieth century.
Academic Formation
Born in 1900 in Chamarajanagar, Kingdom of Mysore, Madhava Rao completed his early education at A.V. School and Maharaja's College. He pursued higher studies at Central College, Bangalore, earning a B.Sc. from the University of Mysore. His mathematical potential earned early recognition from C.V. Raman, who recommended him for further research. He subsequently earned an M.Sc. in Pure Mathematics from the University of Calcutta.
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Between 1935 and 1938, Madhava Rao maintained a dual affiliation with the Indian Institute of Science, working closely with Max Born on nonlinear electromagnetic field theory. Following this, he collaborated with Homi J. Bhabha and Harish-Chandra on relativistic wave equations for several years. This partnership resulted in the naming of the Bhabha–Madhavarao theory, the Madhavarao algebra, and the Madhavarao ring in scientific literature.
Institutional Leadership
Appointed to the Chair of Applied Mathematics at Central College, Bangalore, in 1938, he modernized the department's curriculum alongside K.S.K. Iyengar. After Iyengar’s death in 1944, he led the department, eventually serving as University Professor and Principal by 1953. He also acted as Secretary and Editor for the Indian Academy of Sciences starting in 1934.
Doctoral Examination and Defense
His D.Sc. thesis, focused on Born's field theory, was evaluated by an international committee including Hermann Weyl, Jacques Hadamard, and Oswald Veblen. Weyl praised the work for its imaginative scope and mathematical rigor. In 1938, Rao also utilized the journal Physikalische Zeitschrift to defend Max Born's scientific theories against the proponents of Deutsche Physik.
Fast facts
- Born: 29 May 1900, Chamarajanagar
- Died: 11 June 1987
- Education: University of Calcutta; University of Mysore
- Key Collaborator: Max Born
- Notable Role: Secretary of the Indian Academy of Sciences
- Academic Chair: Lokmanya Tilak Chair in Applied Mathematics, University of Poona
Questions readers ask
What subjects did B. S. Madhava Rao study?
He specialized in applied mathematics, theoretical physics, and algebraic geometry.
Which international scientists reviewed his doctoral work?
His D.Sc. thesis was examined by Hermann Weyl, Jacques Hadamard, and Oswald Veblen.
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