Dr Krishna Dhan Ghose

1844–1893

Born in Patna, Krishna Dhan Ghose was one of the first students from India to graduate from the University of Aberdeen; he did so in 1870 with a degree in medicine. A renowned doctor in India, Ghose had 5 children; one of his sons was Sri Aurobindo Ghose, the famous philosopher (1872–1950). Ghose lost his father in 1856, but he and his brother continued to be educated and, two years later, he was admitted to Calcutta University, from which he proceeded to the Calcutta Medical College.

In June 1865, Ghose was licensed in medicine and surgery and began his internship in the Medical College Hospital. In 1866, the young doctor Ghose was sent to Bhagalpur. In January 1870, Ghose and a panel of doctors embarked from Calcutta for the United Kingdom. Ghose achieved an MD from Aberdeen in 1871. His time in the UK was so important to him and it led to him ensuring that some of his children received a British education.

When Ghose returned to India, he was met with a degree of hostility. He subsequently joined the civil medical service, beginning work as a Sub-Assistant Surgeon in Calcutta. Ghose and his family then travelled throughout India as he secured successive promotions, such as the civic surgeon of Rangpore. In the 1870s, he oversaw several disease outbreaks, such as cholera and malaria. In January 1884, the Government of Bengal appointed him as Superintendent of Vaccinations in Calcutta. A year later, Ghose returned to Khulna, where he was to remain until his death.

Biography

Biography prepared from the nomination made to the University of Aberdeen 525 Alumni project.