Sir M. Venkatasubba Rao was born on the 18th of July, 1878. After a Brilliant academic career, he graduated from The Madras Christian College. On securing his B.L. Degree, he became apprenticed to Sir C.V. Kumaraswamy Sastri. He was enrolled as a Vakil in July 1903. In July 1904, he formed a partnership with Mr. Radhakrishnaya, his college mate, and they practiced under the name of Venkatasubba Rao and Radhakrishnaya. In the space of few years, Sir M. Venkatasubba Rao become one of the leaders of the Bar. His forte was on the Original Side. He was appointed Judge of the Madras High Court in 1921. His appointment was unique in two ways. He was the first practitioner on the Original Side to be appointed a Judge. Secondly, he was the youngest person to sit on the bench of the Madras High Court. In the year 1922, he married Andalamma. This marriage was a milestone in his life, in as much as together with her, he was able to implement his passion for social welfare and reform, in founding the Madras SevaSadan. For his outstanding ability as a Judge, he was knighted in 1936.