Late Ramaswamy Venkataraman, 98, a lawyer who became India's eighth president and helped write the nation's constitution, died of multi-organ failure Jan. 27 at a hospital in New Delhi.

Popularly known as "RV," Mr. Venkataraman was president for five years starting in 1987. In the largely ceremonial position, he worked with four prime ministers during his term, three of whom he appointed. He also served as defense and finance minister before becoming president.

Mr. Venkataraman helped draft the constitution, which was adopted three years after India gained independence from British rule in 1947.

Mr. Venkataraman was born in a village in the southern state of Tamil Nadu and completed law school in Chennai. An early interest in labor law brought him into politics, and he held administrative positions of increasing importance before serving as president.

In 1938, he married Janaki Devi and had three daughters, all of whom survive.

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