LS Sampath Kumar did his MSc (1927) from the University of London, UK. His areas of specialization were cytology, genetics and plant breeding. He was Economic Botanist to Government of Bombay, Principal College of Agriculture, Pune; Chief of Agricultural Education, ICAR; Dean, Post-Graduate Research Institute; Principal, Agricultural College and Additional Director of Agriculture Research, Kerala.

Academic and Research Achievements: Kumar's contributions relate to: breeding of forage grasses and improved strains of grasses, legumes, oilseeds and pulses, cytological investigations, induction of polyploidy in grain crops, vegetables, fruits and flowering plants.

Other Contributions: Kumar co-authored the book Agriculture in India (3 vols) (Asia Publishing House). He was a Member of INSA Council (1963-65).

Awards and Honours: Kumar was a Fellow of Indian Academy of Sciences and Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding. He was Member of FAO Advisor to Thailand on Grassland Development and Member of UNO Committee on Development of Thailand.

The Indian National Science Academy has instituted the 'LSS Kumar Memorial Award' in his honour.