Oil Paintings in Madras University Library

 Dr.V Swaminatha iyer

     Uttamadhanapuram Venkatasubbaiyer Swaminatha Iyer (19 February 1855 – 28 April 1942),He born in the village of Suriyamoolai near Kumbakonam in present-day Tamil Nadu and he was a Tamil scholar and researcher who was instrumental in bringing many long-forgotten works of classical Tamil literature to light. His singular efforts over five decades brought to light major literary works in Tamil and contributed vastly to the enrichment of its literary heritage. Iyer published over 90 books in his lifetime, on a variety of matters connected to classical Tamil literature, and collected over 3,000 paper manuscripts, palm-leaf manuscripts and notes of various kinds.He is affectionately called Tamil Thatha (literally, "Tamil grandfather").

The honorary doctoral degree (D.Litt.) was conferred on Iyer by the University of Madras in 1906. In recognition of his outstanding literary accomplishments and contributions, he was also honoured with the title, Mahamahopathiyaya, literally: "Greatest of great teachers".In the same year, when the Prince and Princess of Wales visited Madras, a function was arranged where Swaminatha Iyer was honoured. Iyer was awarded the title of Dakshinathya Kalanidhi in 1925. In 1932, the Madras University awarded an honorary PhD to him in recognition of his services in the cause of Tamil. Indian Postal department issued a commemorative postage stamp on 18 February 2006.His house in Uthamadhanapuram has been converted as a Memorial.

Sir Lord Napier

     Francis Napier, 10th Lord Napier and 1st Baron Ettrick, (15 September 1819 – 19 December 1898) was a British polyglot, diplomat and colonial administrator. He served as the British Minister to the United States from 1857 to 1859, Netherlands from 1859 to 1860, Russia from 1861 to 1864, Prussia from 1864 to 1866 and as the Governor of Madras from 1866 to 1872. He also acted as the Governor-General of India from February to May 1872.Francis Napier was born to William Napier, 9th Lord Napier and had his early education through private tutors. He joined the Trinity College, Cambridge in 1835 but did not complete his graduation. Instead, he mastered foreign languages and served as a diplomat in foreign missions. In 1866, he was appointed Governor of Madras and served from 1866 to 1872. On the assassination of the Earl of Mayo, the then Viceroy of India in February 1872, Napier was appointed to act temporarily as the Viceroy of India and served from February to May 1872. Napier returned to the United Kingdom in July 1872 and in his later life, chaired the Napier Commission. Napier died at Florence, Italy on 18 December 1898 at the age of 79.Napier was made a Knight of the Thistle in 1864. In 1872, he was created Baron Ettrick in the Peerage of the United Kingdom in recognition of his services in India.

In 1869, Napier constructed the Napier Bridge across the Coovum River in Chennai.The Napier Park in Chennai and the Napier Museum in Trivandrum, Travancore were set up in his memory. Between 1866 and 1872, he had partially restored the Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal as well, which was earlier demolished considerably by Grandson of King Thirumalai Nayak.In addition there is a surgical ward in Stanley Medical College Hospital in Chennai, named in his honor. The ward was originally built with the help of donations by the Governor Napier.

Alexander John Arbuthnot 

     Sir Alexander John Arbuthnot (11 October 1822 – 10 June 1907) was a British official and writer.He was born at Farmhill.Arbuthnot was educated at Rugby School.Arbuthnot served in Madras (now Chennai) as the director of Public Instruction (1855); he was a key force in the incorporation of Madras University (1857) where he served as the Vice Chancellor from 1871 to 1872;he was the chief secretary to the Madras Government (1862–67); he was a member of the Legislative Council (1867–72); he was a member of the Madras Executive Council; he served on the Viceroy's Executive Council (1875–80); he was acting Governor of Madras, India, for about three months, from 19 February 1872 to 15 May 1872. He later served as a member of the Council of the Secretary of State for India from 1888 to 1893. Arbuthnot was honoured by the Crown with the titles of Knight Commander of The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India (1873) and Companion of The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire (CIE).

N. D. Sundaravadivelu

    Neyyadupakkam Duraiswamy Sundaravadivelu (12 October 1912– 12 April 1993), known as N. D. Sundaravadivelu, was an Indian academic who served as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Madras, Tamil Nadu, from 1969 to 1975.Earlier he was as educational adviser to the government of Tamil Nadu and was Director of Public Instruction for several decades. He was the main architect of the midday meal scheme for schoolchildren introduced during K. Kamaraj's chief ministership. He brought in an "educational revolution" in Tamil Nadu for which he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India.

Mu. Varadarajan   

     Mu. Varadarajan also known as Mu. Va. and Varatharasanar, was a Tamil scholar, author and academic from Tamil Nadu, India. He was born in an aristocratic Tuluva Vellala family near Vellore. He was a prolific writer whose published works include 13 novels, 6 plays, 2 short story collections, 11 essay anthologies, a book on the history of Tamil literature, books on Tamil linguistics and children's books. During 1961–71, he was the head of the Tamil department at the University of Madras. In 1961, he was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award for Tamil for his novel Agal Vilakku. During 1971–74, he was the vice-chancellor of the University of Madurai which is now Madurai Kamaraj University.

S. R. Ranganathan

     Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan(9 August 1892 – 27 September 1972).He was born on 9 August 1892 in Siyali, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu in a Hindu Brahmin family.His birth date is also written 12 August 1892 but he himself wrote his birth date 9 August 1892 in his book, The Five Laws of Library Science. was a librarian and mathematician from India.His most notable contributions to the field were his five laws of library science and the development of the first major faceted classification system, the colon classification. He is considered to be the father of library science, documentation, and information science in India and is widely known throughout the rest of the world for his fundamental thinking in the field. His birthday is observed every year as the National Librarian Day in India.

In 1923, the University of Madras created the post of University Librarian to oversee their poorly organized collection. Among the 900 applicants for the position, none had any formal training in librarianship, and Ranganathan's handful of papers satisfied the search committee's requirement that the candidate should have a research background. His sole knowledge of librarianship came from an Encyclopdia Britannica article he read days before the interview. Ranganathan was initially reluctant to pursue the position (he had forgotten about his application by the time he was called for an interview there). To his own surprise, he received the appointment and accepted the position in January 1924.

Bahadur Sri Venkataratram Nayadu K.T

     Dewan Bahadur Sir Raghupathi Venkataratnam Naidu (1 October 1862 – 26 May 1939)was an Indian social reformer and educationist who hailed from present-day Andhra Pradesh.He was described as "the most powerful orator of his day" He worked for the eradication of untouchability and upliftment of Dalits.He strived for the reformation of the Devadasi system in Andhra, and succeeded to a considerable extent.He promoted widow remarriages and encouraged women's education.Venkataratnam Naidu worked as the Principal of the Mehboob College, Secunderabad, and later the PR Government College, Kakinada.In 1925, he became the first elected Vice Chancellor of Madras University and in that capacity was responsible for creating several new departments of research and teaching.Naidu also served on several municipal councils, the District Board of Godavari and the Taluka Board. He became a Member and the Deputy President of the Madras Legislative Council.He done his M.A. and L.T. degrees from Madras University, Venkataratnam Naidu joined the teaching line. He worked as the principal of the Mehboob College, Secunderabad between 1899 and 1904, and then of the Pitapuram Raja College, Kakinada between 1905 and 1919.In 1925 he became the first elected vice chancellor of Madras University, holding that position until 1928.He was conferred a knighthood by the British government in 1924.

Kurma Venkata Reddi Naidu

     Rao Bahadur Sir Kurma Venkatareddi Naidu(also known as K. V. Reddi Naidu; 1875–1942) was an Indian politician, lawyer, diplomat, and professor who served as the Prime Minister of Madras Presidency. He also served as the Governor of Madras Presidency — one of the only two Indians in history to have held the post.He was the only person to have held both the posts of prime minister and Governor of the Madras Presidency.As a prominent leader of the Justice Party, he formulated policies that promoted social equality, abolition of untouchability, and social reform.He also established the first women's college in Andhra region in Eluru.

K. Ramunni Menon

     Sir Konkoth Ramunni Menon(14 September 1872 – c. February 1949) was an Indian educator who was the vice chancellor of the University of Madras from 1928 to 1934.Menon received a B.A from the University of Madras.n 1910 he became professor of zoology at the Presidency College, Madras. The Department of Zoology of University of Madras was established in 1927 and Menon was made its honorary director after he became the vice chancellor of the University of Madras in 1928. He served as the vice chancellor until 1934. During his time he first introduced music as a subject at Madras University.

Lord Hebert 

     There are several notable historical figures with the name "Lord Herbert." The title "Herbert" has been associated with various British nobles and historical personalities. Edward Herbert, 1st Baron Herbert of Cherbury (or Chirbury) (3 March 1583 – 5 August 1648) was an English soldier, diplomat, historian, poet and religious philosopher of the Kingdom of England. Another is Henry Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon (1831–1890), who played a key role in British colonial affairs, particularly as Secretary of State for the Colonies

Dr. R.P.Sethu pillai

     R. P. Sethu Pillai(1896–1961), was a Tamil scholar, writer and professor of Tamil at the University of Madras.Sethu pillai was born at Rajavallipuram, Tirunelveli District. He was educated and practiced as a lawyer. He became interested in Tamil after listening to a speech of Maraimalai Adigal at Palayamkottai in June 1912.After a brief career in politics (he was the Vice Chairman of the Tirunelveli Municipal Council), he became a teacher. During 1930-36, he taught at Annamalai University. In 1936, he became a senior lecturer at the Madras University. In 1946, he succeeded Prof. Vaiyapuri Pillai as the Reader of Tamil and the Head of the Tamil department in the University.

V.Krishnaswamy Iyer

     Venkatarama Krishnaswamy Iyer(15 June 1863 – 28 December 1911) was an Indian lawyer who served as a justice of the High Court of Madras and on the Executive Council of the Governor of Madras known also as a leader in the second generation of the Mylapore clique.He was involved in the prosecution of a partner of the British banking Company Arbuthnot & Co after the bank crashed on 22 October 1906. Following the crash, Iyer gathered together eight Indians who started a bank funded by Chettiar Capital which later became the Indian Bank. He is the first Indian to have a beach-fronted statue when a statue of his was put up outside the Senate House. Madras University in 1912.

V. S. Srinivasa Sastri

     Valangaiman Sankaranarayana Srinivasa Sastri (22 September 1869 – 17 April 1946) was an Indian politician, administrator, educator, orator and Indian independence activist. He was acclaimed for his oratory and command over the English language.Srinivasa Sastri was born to a poor temple priest in the village of Valangaiman near Kumbakonam, India. He completed his education at Kumbakonam and worked as a school teacher and later, headmaster in Triplicane, Madras. He entered politics in 1905 when he joined the Servants of India Society. Sastri served as a member of the Indian National Congress from 1908 to 1922, but later resigned in protest against the non-cooperation movement. Sastri was one of the founding members of the Indian Liberal Party. In his later days, he was strongly opposed to the partition of India.Srinivasa Sastri served as a member of the Madras Legislative Council from 1913 to 1916, Imperial Legislative Council of India from 1916 to 1919 and the Council of State from 1920 to 1925. Sastri also functioned as India's delegate to the League of Nations,as member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom and agent to the Union of South Africa.

Srinivasa Ramanujan

     Srinivasa Ramanujan Aiyangar (22 December 1887 – 26 April 1920) he was born into a Tamil Brahmin Iyengar family in Erode, in present-day Tamil Nadu.He was an Indian mathematician.His contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions, including solutions to mathematical problems then considered unsolvable.In 1910, Ramanujan began to get recognition in Madras's mathematical circles, leading to his inclusion as a researcher at the University of Madras

A. Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar

     Sir Arcot Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar (14 October 1887 – 15 April 1974) was an Indian educationist and physician.He pursued his education from the Madras Christian College. He later went on to become the longest serving Vice-Chancellor of Madras University (for 27 years) and principal of Madras Medical College. He was also the Deputy Leader of the Indian delegation to the First World Health Assembly in Geneva in 1948. He was elected as the chairman of the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board in 1949 and 1950, was vice-president of the Eighth World Health Assembly in 1955 and President of the Fourteenth World Health Assembly in 1961.

R.V.Krishnaswamy Iyer

     R. V. Krishnaswamy Iyer (1890–1977) was a distinguished Indian lawyer, scholar, and public servant known for his significant contributions to the fields of law, education, and public administration.