Frederick Townsend Martin Explained

Frederick Townsend Martin
Birth Date:6 December 1849
Birth Place:Albany, New York
Death Place:London, England
Occupation:Writer
Education:Albany Boys Academy
Alma Mater:Albany Law School
Parents:Henry Hull Martin
Anna Townsend
Relatives:Bradley Martin (brother)

Frederick Townsend Martin (December 6, 1849 – March 8, 1914) was an American writer, advocate for the poor,[1] [2] and an acknowledged leader of society in New York. He was referred to as a "millionaire with a mission".

Early life

Martin was born in Albany, New York on December 6, 1849 to Henry Hull Martin (1809–1886) and Anna Townsend (1815–1866).[3] His maternal grandfather was Solomon Townsend, a prominent merchant in Albany, and his siblings were Henry Townsend Martin (d. 1915),[4] Bradley Martin (1841–1913), who married Cornelia Sherman, Howard Townsend Martin, and Alice Townsend. His niece, Bradley's daughter, Cornelia Martin (1877-1961), married William Craven, 4th Earl of Craven (1868–1921).[3]

He was educated at the Albany Boys Academy and graduated from the Albany Law School in 1872 and served as a colonel in the New York National Guard, as judge advocate.[1]

Career

At the time of the election U.S. President Harrison, Martin said:

It matters not one iota what political party is in power or what President holds the reins of office. We are not politicians or public thinkers; we are the rich; we own America; we got it, God knows how, but we intend to keep it if we can by throwing all the tremendous weight of our support, our influence, our money, our political connections, our purchased Senators, our hungry Congressmen, our public-speaking demagogues into the scale against any legislature, any political platform, any presidential campaign that threatens the integrity of our estate.[5]
In 1911, he wrote The Passing of the Idle Rich.[6] He would travel to the Bowery Mission in New York City to visit with the homeless.[7] He hosted an annual Christmas dinner for the homeless on the Lower East Side.[8] Martin's writings often criticized the extravagances of the rich - the very circles in which he traveled - and preached that "...where idleness and extravagance creep in decay begins. Nations as well as individuals have to be reminded of the dangers of these evils and they must be faced".

Martin received a large sum of money on the death of his brother, Bradley Martin.[1] Martin was referred to as a successor to Ward McAllister and Harry Lehr as the leader of society in New York.[8] Just prior to his death in 1914, he bought a 10-year lease of 6 Cumberland Place from Gowdy, to install an art collection bequeathed to him by his "intimate friend" Henry Sands.[9] It was Sands intention that both of their collections be kept together and housed in London.[9] After his death, his collection went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.[10]

Personal life

Martin, who did not marry, died on 8 March 1914 at the Hotel Berkeley in London, England of heart failure, his body was returned to America for burial.[11] His funeral was held at Christ Church in London on March 11, 1914.[12] [13]

Clubs and organizations

Martin was a director of the Metropolitan Trust Company and was a member of a number of social clubs, including the Metropolitan Club, Knickerbocker Club, and Aero Club in New York, the Marlborough Club, St James's Club, Bachelors Club, and Wellington Club of London, the Travelers Club, Automobile Club, and Polo Club of Paris, and the Country Club of Puteaux France.

Publications

Notes and References

  1. News: Frederick Townsend Martin . 2008-12-14 . 1919 . Frederick Townsend Martin (b. 1849 in Albany NY; d. 1914 in London); graduated from Albany Law School; colonel in the New York National Guard; his writings included "The Passing of the Idle Rich" (1911) and "My Personal Experiences of Meeting Snobs" (1911). His older brother Bradley Martin (1841-1913) was a prominent banker.. .
  2. News: New York Society Leader, Author, and Friend of the Poor a Victim of Heart Disease. . Frederick Townsend Martin died suddenly of heart failure at 2:30 o'clock this morning at the Hotel Berkeley, where he had been staying with his brother Howard T. Martin. The body will be sent to America. . . March 9, 1914 . 2008-12-14 .
  3. Book: Townsend (1865). James C.. Townsend (1871). Hon. Martin I.. Townsend (1875). Charles Hervey. Smith (1904). Hon. Issac Townsend. Townsend (1909, Madme. Giovanni Tagliapietra). Margaret. Townsend--Townshend 1066-1909 The History, Genealogy and Alliances of The English and American House of Townsend. 1909. New York. (no publisher). 9785870930930. 97. 19 April 2017. en.
  4. News: HENRY TOWNSEND MARTIN.; Brother of Late Bradley and F. T. Martin Dies in a Sanitarium.. 19 April 2017. The New York Times. August 21, 1915. en.
  5. Agar, Herbert, The People's Choice, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1933, p. 248
  6. News: Martin. F. Townsend. NOT SNOBBERY TO GO TO CORONATION"; Author of "The Idle Rich" Comments on the Americans Who Went to the Ceremonies and of Social Conditions at the New Court and Elsewhere Abroad.. 19 April 2017. The New York Times. June 25, 1911. en.
  7. News: TOWNSEND MARTIN'S LITTLE PARTY IS OFF; The East Side, It Seems, Didn't Want to Rent Him a Hall to Teach It Hygiene. SOCIALIST ORATOR BOLTED So the Germs Will Have to Continue to Flutter Over There -- And Nordica Won't Sing -- Dinner Still On.. 19 April 2017. The New York Times. February 13, 1909. en.
  8. News: F. T. Martin Dies Suddenly in London. New York Society Leader, Author, and Friend of the Poor a Victim of Heart Disease . Frederick Townsend Martin died suddenly of heart failure at 2:30 oclock this morning at the Hotel Berkeley, where he had been staying with his brother Howard T. Martin. The body will be sent to America. . . 9 March 1914 . 2 January 2009 .
  9. News: LEASES HOUSE IN LONDON.; F.T. Martin to Install Art Collection Bequeathed by Henry Sands.. 19 April 2017. The New York Times. February 7, 1914. en.
  10. News: MARTIN COLLECTION FOR METROPOLITAN; Society Leader Leaves Armor and Engravings to Art Museum Here.. 19 April 2017. The New York Times. March 28, 1914. en.
  11. News: MAY TAX MARTIN ESTATE.; Court of Appeals Dismisses the Executor's Appeal.. 19 April 2017. The New York Times. October 18, 1916. en.
  12. News: MARTIN FUNERAL SIMPLE.; Only About 30 Friends Attend London Church Services.. 19 April 2017. The New York Times. March 11, 1914. en.
  13. News: FUNERAL IN LONDON OF F. T. MARTIN; Society Leader's Body to be Shipped to the United States To-morrow.. 19 April 2017. The New York Times. March 10, 1914. en.