Abū Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariyā Rāzī (Arabic: أبو بكر محمد بن زكريا الرازي, Persian: زكريای رازی Zakariā-ye Rāzi; Latin: Rhazes or Rasis) was a Persian, chemist, physician, philosopher and scholar. According to Biruni, Razi was born in Rayy, Iran in the year 865 (251 AH) and died there in 925 (313 AH).
Razi made fundamental and enduring contributions to the fields of medicine, alchemy, and philosophy, recorded in over 184 books and articles in various fields of science. He was well-versed in Persian, Greek and Indian medical knowledge and made numerous advances in medicine through own observations and discoveries. He was an early proponent of experimental medicine and is considered the father of pediatrics. He was also a pioneer of neurosurgery and ophthalmology.
As an alchemist, Razi is known for his study of sulfuric acid. He also discovered ethanol and refined its use in medicine.
Razi was a rationalist, and was very confident in the power of reason; he was widely regarded by his contemporaries and biographers as liberal and free from any kind of prejudice, very bold and daring in expressing his ideas without a qualm.
He traveled extensively and rendered service to several princes and rulers, especially in Baghdad, where his laboratory was located. As a teacher in medicine, he attracted students of all disciplines and was said to be compassionate and devoted to the service of his patients, whether rich or poor.
The modern-day Razi Institute in Tehran, and Razi University in Kermanshah were named after him, and 'Razi Day' ('Pharmacy Day') is commemorated in Iran every August 27.
