Rediscovering Bose: A Science Legend Unfairly Attacked

In the world of science, sometimes truth takes a backseat to prejudice. Such was the case with Sir Jagadis Chandra Bose, a brilliant scientist from Bengal. Recently, an article in this volume challenged a piece I wrote about Bose. While Kingsland and Taiz (2024) raised questions, the facts remain clear: One of Bose's key opponents, Daniel T. MacDougal, held racist views. He condemned Bose with hurtful words like "mystic" and dismissed his groundbreaking electrophysiological plant studies. MacDougal's powerful position in the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) allowed him to spread misinformation. Many in the West accepted this, tainting Bose's reputation unfairly. But let's not forget Bose's incredible contributions to science. He pioneered studies on plant responses to stimuli. Sadly, racism and politics clouded his deserved recognition. It's time we, in the West, recognize and correct this historic injustice. Bose’s work remains revolutionary, deserving of true acknowledgment and praise.