Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan
- Born:
- August 9, 1892, Shiyali (now Sirkazhi), Madras Presidency, British India
- Died:
- September 27, 1972, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
- Nationality:
- Indian
- Profession(s):
- Mathematician, Librarian, Information Scientist
Early Life and Education
- Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Master of Arts (MA) degree in Mathematics from Madras Christian College, University of Madras.
- Initially worked as a mathematics professor at various colleges in Madras.
- Appointed as the first librarian of the University of Madras in 1924, despite lacking formal library training.
- Underwent training at University College London to formally study librarianship.
Career and Major Achievements
- Transformed the University of Madras library system.
- Developed the Five Laws of Library Science, a fundamental theory of library science.
- Pioneered the Colon Classification, a faceted classification system for library materials.
- Established the Madras Library Association (MALA).
- Served as President of the Indian Library Association.
- Founded the Documentation Research and Training Centre (DRTC) in Bangalore.
- UNESCO Consultant for library development in various countries.
Notable Works
- The Five Laws of Library Science (1931)
- Colon Classification (1933)
- Library Administration (1935)
- Prolegomena to Library Classification (1937)
- Elements of Library Classification (1945)
- Classification and Communication (1951)
Legacy and Impact
S.R. Ranganathan is considered the father of library science in India and a globally influential figure in the field. His contributions revolutionized library practices and shaped modern information science. The widespread discussion and analysis of s r ranganathan biography books highlights the lasting impact of his work on the profession.