Mysore Nanjappa Viswanathiah did his PhD (1959) from University of London, UK. He worked as Professor and Head, Department of Geology, University of Mysore (1961-81) and Vice-Chancellor, Bangalore University, Bangalore.

Academic and Research Achievements: Working in the areas economic geology and minerology, Viswanathiah investigated Kaladgi and Badami Groups with particular reference to sedimentation, stratigraphy and tectonics. He discovered for the first time the Precambrian fossils in the Kaladgis, Badamis and even in the oldest rocks, Sargurs of Karnataka. The palynofossils like Chytonozoans and Scolecodonts of Ordovician age reported from Badamis are of stratigraphic significance.

Other Contributions: Viswanathiah was Member of the Mineralogical Society of India (Vice-President also, 1980) and Indian Association of Sedimentologists (President also, 1979-80). He edited the journal Indian Mineralogist.

Awards and Honours: Professor Viswanathiah was conferred Silver Jubilee Gold Medal by Kiev University (1969) and Mysore Geologists’ Gold Medal by Geological Society of India (1975). He was elected President, Geology and Geography Section, Indian Science Congress (1982-83).