Dr. Richard L. Thompson (1947–2008), also known by his Vaishnava name Sadaputa Dasa, was a mathematician, scientist, philosopher, researcher of ancient cosmology, author, and devoted practitioner of bhakti-yoga. Thompson received his PhD from Cornell University, where he specialized in probability theory and statistical mechanics. During this time he found inspiration in the philosophy of Bhagavad-gita and became a dedicated follower of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, popularly known in the West as the Hare Krishna movement. Thompson subsequently served as a founding charter member of the Bhaktivedanta Institute. Please click here for a full biographical treatment.
Along side his prolific output encompassing his professional work and Bhaktivedanta Institute career, Thompson kept extensive personal files provided to the Richard L. Thompson Archives by his family. This site includes a broad collection of historical documents key to the founding of the Bhaktivedanta Institute during the 1970s, along with a full set of his popular essays for BTG magazine and links to his published works. Thompson also left a considerable collection of planetarium and museum exhibit proposals integral to the development of important ISKCON affiliated projects over the many years. This site is designed to provide ready access for facilitating the legacy of these projects, their ongoing development, and independent study.