John William Martin

John William Martin (1864 or 1865 – 6 April 1956) was a British Fabian who later became an academic in the United States.

Born in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, Martin became a pupil teacher when he was thirteen, and by furthering his education in this way, he eventually won a scholarship to the Borough Road Training College. During his time there, he was active in radical politics, and formed a debating society.[1]

After leaving the college, Martin attended the University of London, graduating in 1889. He worked as a teacher for several years, then became a lecturer at the East London Technical College.[1][2]

Martin became active in the Fabian Society and served on its executive from 1894. In 1899, he traveled to lecture in the United States, and while there met Prestonia Mann, a leading figure in the American Fabian Society. They married in 1900, and settled on Grymes Hill in Staten Island, New York.[2][3]

In New York, Martin served on the Board of Education for eight years and was a director of the League of Political Education. In 1929, he moved to become a professor at Rollins College in Florida, where he remained until his death in 1956.[2] He left his house to the college, which now served as the university's music department, under the name "Martin Hall".[4]