Surjo Kumar Chakraborty, also known as Soorjo Coomar Goodeve Chuckerbutty, was a pioneering Indian physician who achieved several significant milestones in the 19th century.

Born on February 28, 1826, in Kanaksar, Bikrampur, Dhaka, British India, Chakraborty was orphaned at the age of six. He pursued his early education in Bengali, Sanskrit, and Persian at a local school. His aspiration for an English education led him to the Hare School in Kolkata. Under the mentorship of Henry Goodeve, a retired professor of anatomy and obstetrics, and with government funding, he was among the first four Brahmin medical students taken to England in 1845 for further medical training. He studied at University College London and became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS).

Upon returning to India in 1850, Chakraborty faced challenges in securing senior positions within the Indian Medical Service (IMS) due to prevailing biases. However, when the IMS examination was opened to all in 1854, he seized the opportunity and passed, becoming the first Indian to do so. He subsequently became the Professor of Materia Medica at Calcutta Medical College (CMC), making significant contributions to medical education and practice in India.

Chakraborty was a prolific writer, publishing articles in esteemed medical journals such as The Lancet, the British Medical Journal, and The Indian Medical Gazette. He co-founded the Bethune Society and served as the president of the Bengal Branch of the British Medical Association. His lectures and writings often reflected his advocacy for education, public health, and social reforms in India.

Chakraborty’s achievements were groundbreaking, as he was among the earliest Indians to practice modern medicine and contribute to Western medical science. His journey from a village in Bengal to becoming a respected medical professional in both India and England serves as an inspiration, highlighting the importance of perseverance and dedication in overcoming societal barriers.