Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Vashishtha Narayan Singh: A Mathematical Genius Facing Lifelong Struggles
Vashishtha Narayan Singh was a mathematician from Bihar, India.
He showed a strong talent for mathematics when he was young.
A professor noticed his ability and invited him to study in California.
Singh earned a doctorate at the University of California, Berkeley.
He later taught at universities and worked with NASA.
He also lived with schizophrenia for more than four decades.
After returning to his village in 1987, he disappeared while travelling.
He was found near Chhapra four years later.
His story includes both major achievements and difficult personal challenges.
Vashishtha Narayan Singh was born in Basantpur village, Bihar, on 2 April 1942.
His mathematical ability drew the attention of American mathematician John L. Kelley while Singh studied at Patna Science College.
Singh moved to California in 1963 and earned a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1969.
He later taught at Washington University and IIT Kanpur and IIT Kolkata, and worked with NASA.
Diagnosed with schizophrenia, Singh returned to his village in 1987 and was found near Chhapra four years after disappearing while travelling.
- Who
- Vashishtha Narayan Singh, an Indian mathematician.
- What
- His mathematical studies and career took him to universities in the United States and India, and he worked with NASA.
- When
- He was born on 2 April 1942; he moved to California in 1963, earned his PhD in 1969, and returned to his village in 1987.
- Where
- He was born in Basantpur village, Bhojpur, Bihar; his studies and work also took him to California and institutions in India.
- Why
- His mathematical talent drew attention while he was studying at Patna Science College.
- Born
- 2 April 1942
- Birthplace
- Basantpur village, Bhojpur, Bihar
- Moved to California
- 1963
- PhD
- University of California, Berkeley, 1969
- Institutions named
- Washington University, IIT Kanpur, and IIT Kolkata
- NASA
- The article says Singh worked with NASA.
- Health and later life
- The article says he was diagnosed with schizophrenia, returned to his village in 1987, and was found near Chhapra four years after disappearing while travelling.