This article is a brief biography and appreciation of the lateM.G.K.Menon, a scientist and administrator of towering abilities,whose seminal role in the development of post-colonialIndian science often gets discounted in comparison with someof his more eye-catching contemporaries. And yet Menon’sachievements stand up to scrutiny as massive and solid as thegranite blocks with which his beloved TIFR is constructed.No scientist in the modern world has played so large and diversea role in setting up scientific studies in his own country,and few individuals in history have ever held such a glitteringsuccession of prestigious positions.