Martin followed up his 'Life of the Prince Consort' with a second effort in political biography, 'A Life of Lord Lyndhurst. From Letters and Papers in possession of his Family' (1883). It is an attempt to correct the unpleasing impression given of Lyndhurst by Lord Campbell in 'Lives of the Chancellors' (1869, vol. viii.), and although Martin's refutation wearies by its length he paints a successful portrait.
in 1881 Martin was elected lord rector of St. Andrews University, and in Oct. he delivered his inaugural address on education. During that and the next year some time was spent in Italy. In 1887 Martin and his wife made a final journey abroad to the Riviera. Until that period, when Lady Martin's health began to fail, Martin and she continued their social activities in London and Wales. In their London home between 1882 and 1887 they and their friends, including Henry Irving and Canon Ainger, took part in readings of Shakespeare, whose excellence attracted attention. The summer and autumn were still spent at Bryntysilio, where Robert Browning and other literary friends frequently sought them out. In 1896 Queen Victoria sent Martin, on his 80th birthday, the insignia of K.C.V.O. Lady Martin died at Bryntysilio on 31 Oct. 1898, and Sir Theodore devoted himself to her biography, which appeared in 1900. In 1901 he issued for private circulation 'Queen Victoria as I knew her,' which was published in 1908. His pen continued active till near the end. His last contribution to 'Blackwood' was an article on Dante's 'Paolo and Francesca,' published in 1907. For many years he was an active worker on the Royal Literary Fund, becoming a member of the fund in 1855, an auditor in 1862, a member of the general committee in 1868, and registrar in 1871. He resigned the office of registrar and his seat on the committee in 1907, but was re-elected to the committee next month. In succession to James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps [q. v.] he became a trustee of Shakespeare's birthplace on 6 May 1889, and retained the office till his death. He was a frequent visitor to Stratford-on-Avon, and placed in the church there in 1900, in memory of his wife, a marble pulpit, designed by G. F. Bodley, R.A. In 1906 he celebrated his 90th birthday at Bryntysilio. He died there on 18 Aug. 1909, and was buried, by the side of his wife, in Brompton cemetery. He left no issue.
Martin's industry — literary as well as professional — was exceptional. In all his work he wrote everything to the last in his own hand, never employing an amanuensis. His literary versatility — both in prose and verse — has within its limits been rarely surpassed. His varied translations show unusual receptivity of mind. As a biographer he accomplished, in the 'Life of the Prince Consort,' an important piece of work which needed doing, and he did it well. A staunch conservative, he grew impatient of innovation in his old age. Although a rigorous man of business, he was generous in private charity, especially to unsuccessful authors. His romantic devotion to his wife and his faith in her genius are the most distinctive features of his career.
A portrait by Thomas Duncan of Martin at the age of ten is in the National Portrait Gallery at Edinburgh. A second portrait, painted in 1878 by James Archer, R.S.A., was presented by Sir Theodore to Mr. William Blackwood, and hangs in the 'Old Saloon' in Blackwood & Sons' publishing house at Edinburgh, among those of many other early contributors to 'Maga.' A third portrait, by Robert Herdman, R.S.A., also belongs to Mr. Blackwood. A fourth painting, by F. Dixon, was presented by Martin in 1905 to his partner, Mr. Bernard Hicks, and a fifth painting, by J. Mordecai, was given by him in 1907 to his partner Mr. W. F. Wakeford. Lord Ronald Gower, one of Martin's many friends, presented to the National Portrait Gallery a sixth painting, by F. M. Bennett, which is a bad likeness; it hangs in the east wing. In 1873 a crayon portrait was drawn by Rudolf Lehmann, and a caricature by 'Spy' appeared in 'Vanity Fair' in 1877.
[The Times, the Scotsman, and Western Morning News, 19 Aug. 1909; private information I personal knowledge.]
MARTIN, Sir THOMAS ACQUIN (1850–1906), industrial pioneer in India and agent-general for Afghanistan, born at Four-oaks, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, on 6 March 1850, was son of Patrick William Martin, leather manufacturer, of Birmingham, by his wife, Mary Anne Bridges. After education at the Oratory, Edgbaston, he entered the engineering firm of Walsh, Lovett in Birmingham, and in 1874 went out to Calcutta to start a branch for them. Possessed of exceptional business capacity, he soon founded the firm which bears his name, of Clivestreet, Calcutta, and Laurence Pountney-hill, E.G. As the head of this firm he notably fostered the material development of India. The firm took over in 1889 the management of the
