Lindsay Shepherd Olive

Lindsay Shepherd Olive (April 30, 1917 – October 19, 1988) was an American mycologist known for his broad contributions to fungal taxonomy, cytogenetics, genetics, and slime mold biology. Born in South Carolina, Olive was educated at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1942. Throughout his academic career, he held positions at several institutions, notably Louisiana State University, Columbia University, and again at Chapel Hill. Olive's research included pioneering genetic studies with the fungus Sordaria fimicola and extensive work on cellular slime molds, culminating in his monograph, The Mycetozoans (1975). Recognized for his scientific achievements, Olive served as president of the Mycological Society of America and was elected a fellow of the National Academy of Sciences.