Merle Charles Prunty (2 March 1917 – 5 October 1982) was an American geographer, academic and researcher.
Early life.
He was born in Kansas, United States. He was the son of Dr. Merle C. Prunty, Sr. and Grace E. Moulton. His father was a school superintendent from Missouri. 
He completed his Ph.D. at Clark University in 1944.
He died on 5 October 1982 in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia.
Career.
He founded the Department of Geography and Geology at the University of Georgia and served for 26 years as the Department Head of Geography and Geology there. 
He established the M.A. program in 1951 and the Ph.D. program in 1961 when the Geography/Geology building was completed.