Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Born 5 September 1888 · Tamil Nadu
Died 17 April 1975
Serving as the second President of India from 1962 to 1967.
🔔 Add birthday reminderSarvepalli Radhakrishnan was an Indian academic, philosopher and statesman who served as the Vice President of India from 1952 to 1962 and President of India from 1962 to 1967. He was the ambassador of India to the Soviet Union from 1949 to 1952. He was also the vice-chancellor of Banaras Hindu University from 1939 to 1948 and the vice-chancellor of Andhra University from 1931 to 1936. Radhakrishnan is considered one of the most influential and distinguished 20th century scholars of comparative religion and philosophy, he held the King George V Chair of Mental and Moral Science at the University of Calcutta from 1921 to 1932 and Spalding Chair of Eastern Religion and Ethics at University of Oxford from 1936 to 1952.
✨ A detail that surprised us
Radhakrishnan chose to study philosophy mainly because his cousin passed him free philosophy textbooks, despite his initial wish to study mathematics.
1. In 1921, at the University of Calcutta, Radhakrishnan took the King George V Chair of Mental and Moral Science, marking the start of his influential academic tenure in Indian philosophy.
2. 🌍 Between 1936 and 1952, he held the Spalding Chair of Eastern Religion and Ethics at Oxford University, becoming a key figure introducing Hindu philosophy to Western academia.
3. From 1939 to 1948, he was vice-chancellor of Banaras Hindu University, where he shaped educational policies during a critical pre- and post-independence period.
4. 🕊️ In 1949, Radhakrishnan was appointed India’s ambassador to the Soviet Union, serving until 1952 and navigating complex Cold War diplomatic relations.
5. In 1952, he became independent India’s first Vice President, a position he held for a decade before being elected President in 1962.
6. 🎓 In 1962, he succeeded Rajendra Prasad as President of India, serving until 1967, while actively promoting education and secular values nationally.
7. ❓ How did a philosophy student who chose the subject by chance because of free textbooks become the symbolic face of Indian education and philosophy worldwide?
Awards & Honours
- 🏅Bharat Ratna
🔍 One thing most people don't know
Radhakrishnan served as the ambassador to the Soviet Union from 1949 to 1952, a key diplomatic post during early Cold War tensions, linking India with a major global power.
🖼️ Through the Years
📅 The Journey
🗝️ Discoveries
"When we think we know, we cease to learn."
— Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
🎥 Speeches & Recordings
Speech of Dr. S Radhakrishnan | AIR
YouTube📖 Curated Sources
🌱 What changed because of them
Radhakrishnan’s tenure as Vice Chancellor at major Indian universities modernized their curricula and integrated Indian philosophical thought with global academia. His diplomatic role in the Soviet Union and leadership as Vice President and President helped shape India’s international identity during the Cold War era. His birthday became Teachers' Day in India, inspiring generations to value education deeply.
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