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Among the prominent members of the Indian community who worked for the regeneration of Bengal during the last century, none stands higher than Ramgopal Ghose. Born in Calcutta in October 1815, the son of a cloth merchant at China Bazar, he inherited from his father that love of trade and business capacities by which he made his fortune. When he entered the Hindu College he fell under the influence of Professor De Rozio, that eminent educationist who had the honour of training up so many eminent sons of Bengal, and like many of his fellow-students he openly separated from the Hindu society and religion, and adopted English modes of living.

About 1830 he was recommended by David Hare, the philanthropist, for a post in a mercantile firm. Before this, however, while yet a student, he had watched carefully the state of the market and the natural resources of his country, the fruit of which was a series of articles on transit duties. Afterwards, by working first as a banian, and then as a partner in a European firm, he gained considerable experience in trade. He then independently carried on business under the name of 'R. G. Ghose & Co.' and became a successful and wealthy merchant.

While thus engaged in improving his own worldly position, he was not unmindful of his country. For some time he became the joint-editor of Gyananweshan and afterwards started "The Bengal Spectator", a weekly publication, under the editorship of his friend, Babu Peary Chand Mitra. But by far the most important part of his work was in connexion with education. When Dr. Goodeve proposed to send four successful students of the Medical College to England in order to complete their education, he found an able supporter in Ramgopal Ghose, who heartily encouraged the students to adhere to their purpose and actually saw them off. He sent his daughter to the Free School then recently established by