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The Keble Review 2013
Farewell to...
James Martin was not only the University’s most generous
benefactor in its 900-year history, but was inspirational in
his commitment to the power of ideas. In 2005, with an
endowment of $100 million, he founded the Oxford Martin
School as a unique interdisciplinary research centre focused on
the 21st century’s biggest challenges and opportunities. This
extraordinary benefaction built on previous gifts, for the James
Martin Institute of Science, Innovation and Society, now part
of the School, and the James Martin Professorship in Computing.
Closely involved with the ongoing work of the Oxford Martin
School, James Martin regularly visited Oxford to spend time
with academics and scholars. In 2009, he announced a matched
funding challenge to help expand the work of the Oxford Martin
School. His challenge was for other funders to match his own
donation of $50 million within the year. Despite the economic
downturn, the challenge was taken up by philanthropists,
charities and funding bodies and as a result 19 new and
innovative research programmes were created. The success was
a huge boost to the Oxford Thinking Campaign, of which he was
a Patron.
James Thomas Martin was born on 19 October 1933 in
Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire where he attended the
boys’ grammar school. He came up to Keble in 1952 to read
Physics and during his time here edited
The Clock Towe
r (a
student literary magazine,1912-75). From Keble he worked
for a short time at Armstrong Siddley Motors Ltd on rocket
research, and then spent his National Service as 2nd Lieutenant
in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers before joining
IBM in 1959 to work on first-generation computers. He
left IBM in 1978 and set up several information technology
consultancies which became international. His fortune stemmed
partly from the production of over 100 textbooks, mainly
addressing the information technology industry, but also from
training businesses how to enhance their performance through
the use and programming of computers. BOAC, who set up
the first worldwide computer network for reservations and
flight planning, was one such business. Of his books
The Wired
Society: a Challenge for Tomorrow
(1977) was nominated for
a Pulitzer Prize, while
The Meaning of the 21st Century: a Vital
Blueprint for Ensuring Our Future
(2006) was turned into a film.
He was appointed an Honorary Fellow of Keble in 2005, and held
honorary degrees from six continents. In 2006, he was awarded
the Sheldon Medal, the highest honour the University of Oxford
can bestow, reserved for an individual who has made a strategic
difference to the University. In the same year his name was
added to the Clarendon Arch, dedicated to historic benefactors,
and in 2009 he became a Fellow of the Chancellor’s Court of
Benefactors, having joined the Court as a member in 1995.
Known throughout the world as an influential technology
pioneer, author, lecturer and businessman, he will be
remembered in Oxford for his vision and outstanding generosity
to the collegiate University.
James Martin, who died on 24 June, is survived by his third wife
Lillian, daughter Corinthia, and twin grandchildren James and
Bronte.
With contributions from Julian Laird, Head of Development and
Partnerships, The Oxford Martin School
Dr James Martin (1952)
Honorary Fellow
(1933-2013)
