S. Ramaseshan

Ramaseshan was born on 10 October 1923, in Madras to Sitalakshmi, sister of Indian scientist Sir C. V. Raman. He had his schooling in Nagpur and started his forays into science as a research student under his uncle, Sir C. V. Raman.

On completion of his doctorate, Ramaseshan joined the Indian Institute of Science as a lecturer. During this time, he developed an interest in X-ray crystallography and was instrumental in improving the material science division in the National Aerospace Laboratories. Ramaseshan also taught as a professor in the Indian Institute of Technology.

In 1979, Ramaseshan was appointed joint-director of the Indian Institute of Science and in 1981 became its director. He served as the director of IISc from 1981 to 1984, as president of the Indian Academy of Sciences (1983–1985), and honorary distinguished professor emeritus at the Raman Research Institute (1984–2003).

In 1966, Ramaseshan was awarded the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award. This was followed by the Vasvik Award in 1980 and the INSA Aryabhata Medal in 1985. Ramaseshan is also a recipient of the Padma Bhushan.[1]

Ramaseshan co-authored a biography of his uncle, C. V. Raman, with Raman himself and also edited two collections of Raman's writings.[1]

Ramaseshan died on 29 December 2003, at the age of 80. He was survived by his wife, Kausalya, who was a great-granddaughter of V. S. Srinivasa Sastri, and by three daughters.[1]

• "Sivaraj Ramaseshan (1923-2003)". International Union of Crystallography. 2 (3).
• "Prof. Ramaseshan passes away". The Hindu. 30 December 2003.