Raghupathi Venkataratnam Naidu

Dewan Bahadur Sir Raghupathi Venkataratnam Naidu (1 October 1862 – 26 May 1939) was an Indian social reformer and educationist who hailed from present-day Andhra Pradesh. He was described as "the most powerful orator of his day". He worked for the eradication of untouchability and upliftment of Dalits. He strived for the reformation of the Devadasi system in Andhra, and succeeded to a considerable extent. He promoted widow remarriages and encouraged women's education.

Venkataratnam Naidu worked as the Principal of the Mehboob College, Secunderabad, and later the PR Government College, Kakinada. In 1925, he became the first elected Vice Chancellor of Madras University and in that capacity was responsible for creating several new departments of research and teaching.

Naidu also served on several municipal councils, the District Board of Godavari and the Taluka Board. He became a Member and the Deputy President of the Madras Legislative Council. Government recognised his contribution to public work by awarding the Kaiser-i-Hind Gold Medal and conferring a knighthood on him in 1924. The Andhra and the Madras Universities conferred on him the honorary degrees of D.Litt. and LL.D. The Brahmo Samaj honoured him with the title of "Brahmarshi".