Frederick Townsend Martin
Encyclopedia
Frederick Townsend Martin (1849–1914) was a New York City
writer and advocate for the poor.
on December 6, 1849 to Henry Hull Martin (1809–1886) and Anna Townsend (1815–1866). He graduated from the Albany Law School
in 1872 and served as a Colonel in the New York National Guard, as judge advocate.
In 1911 he wrote The Passing of the Idle Rich. He would travel to the Bowery Mission
in New York City
to visit with the homeless. He hosted an annual Christmas dinner for the homeless on the Lower East Side
. 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.
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.
Martin died on 8 March 1914 at the Hotel Berkeley in London
, England of heart failure, his body was returned to America for burial.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
writer and advocate for the poor.
Biography
He was born in Albany, New YorkAlbany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
on December 6, 1849 to Henry Hull Martin (1809–1886) and Anna Townsend (1815–1866). He graduated from the Albany Law School
Albany Law School
Albany Law School is an ABA accredited law school based in Albany, New York. It was founded in 1851 by Amos Dean , Amasa Parker, Ira Harris and others....
in 1872 and served as a Colonel in the New York National Guard, as judge advocate.
In 1911 he wrote The Passing of the Idle Rich. He would travel to the Bowery Mission
Bowery Mission
The Bowery Mission is a rescue mission in Manhattan's Bowery that was started in 1879 by Albert Gleason Ruliffson. It was the third rescue mission established in the United States.The Mission gives homeless men a place to sleep overnight.-History:...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to visit with the homeless. He hosted an annual Christmas dinner for the homeless on the Lower East Side
Lower East Side
The Lower East Side, LES, is a neighborhood in the southeastern part of the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is roughly bounded by Allen Street, East Houston Street, Essex Street, Canal Street, Eldridge Street, East Broadway, and Grand Street....
. 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.
Martin was a director of the Metropolitan Trust Company and was a member of a number of social clubs, including the Metropolitan Club
Metropolitan Club
The Metropolitan Club is a private social club in New York City. It was formed in 1891 by J.P. Morgan, who served as its first president. Other original members included William K. Vanderbilt and James Roosevelt. Its 1912 clubhouse, designed by Stanford White, stands at 1-11 East 60th Street, on...
, Knickerbocker Club
Knickerbocker Club
The Knickerbocker Club , is a gentlemen's club in New York City founded in 1871. Its current location, a neo-Georgian structure at 2 East 62nd Street, was commissioned in 1913. It was designed by William Adams Delano and Chester Holmes Aldrich...
, and Aero Club in New York, the Marlborough Club, St James's Club
St James's Club
The St James's Club was a London gentlemen's club which operated between 1857 and 1978.-Foundation:The club was founded in 1857 by the Liberal statesman the second Earl Granville and by the Marchese d'Azeglio, Minister of Sardinia to the Court of St. James's, after a dispute at the Travellers' Club...
, Bachelors Club, and Wellington Club
Wellington Club
The Wellington Club is an exclusive club in Knightsbridge, London. It is located at the Knightsbridge tube stop on the Piccadilly Line, and has an entrance in an alley leading to Hyde Park. On an occasional weekend night, the paparazzi will be lurking outside to photograph stars when they leave....
of London, the Travelers Club, Automobile Club, and Polo Club of Paris, and the Country Club of Puteaux
Puteaux
Puteaux is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris, France. It is located in the heart of the Hauts-de-Seine department from the center of Paris....
France.
Martin died on 8 March 1914 at the Hotel Berkeley in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England of heart failure, his body was returned to America for burial.