James Kirby Martin
Encyclopedia
James Kirby Martin, Ph.D. (University of Wisconsin, 1969) is a Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen University Professor of History at the University of Houston
, Houston, Texas
. A nationally recognized scholar in United States history, he is well-known for his writings on various aspects of American military and social history, specifically the American Revolution
, and the study of alcohol-related issues in the United States. In addition to his scholarly work and publications, Martin has advised and appeared on television programs aired on the History Channel and also advises New York-based Talon Films on historical issues. Recently he has become involved in movie production.
(summa cum laude) and then earned his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. He began his teaching career at Rutgers University
, where he earned the rank of Professor of History and also served for a period as Vice President for Academic Affairs. In 1980, Martin moved to the University of Houston
, having accepted assignment as the Department Chair of History.
Martin helped to found the Papers of Thomas Edison project at Rutgers University
and for a few years served on its board of advisers. He was also on the advisory board of the Papers of William Livingston project. Martin has served as general editor for a book series, the American Social Experience (New York University Press), and as a consulting editor for a book series entitled Conversations with the Past (Brandywine Press). Martin is currently serving on the advisory board of editors for the Critical Historical Encounters book series sponsored by Oxford University Press
.
Martin has consulted with some of the nation's most eminent law firms with regard to the history of various consumer products, including alcohol and tobacco, and has collaborated and appeared on programs aired by the History Channel. Talon Films of New York also regularly consults with Martin on historical matters. Martin has worked on two current movie screenplays: one focusing on Benedict Arnold
’s treason and the other on Oneida warrior Han Yerry Doxtader and Mohawk warrior Joseph Brant
.
Martin recently completed a major revision of his co-authored work, A Respectable Army: The Military Origins of the Republic, 1763-1789 (2006), and he has co-authored (with Joseph Glatthaar) Forgotten Allies: The Oneida Indians and the American Revolution (2006). In 2008, a new third edition of Ordinary Courage: The Revolutionary War Adventures of Joseph Plumb Martin, also appeared.
Martin's current writing projects includes The Remarkable Revolution: How the United States Avoided Becoming a Military Dictatorship, 1775-1787 (tentative title, with Oxford University Press), as well as a volume on Han Yerry Doxtader and the Iroquois
Indians titled American Warrior: Han Yerry Doxtader, the Battle of Oriskany, and the Decline and Fall of the Six Nations of Iroquois Indians. Two other projects under way include an investigation of Benedict Arnold's treason (with Oxford University Press
), and a study of the history of smoking in America (a companion volume related to his earlier co-authored book on drinking in America).
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
, Houston, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. A nationally recognized scholar in United States history, he is well-known for his writings on various aspects of American military and social history, specifically the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, and the study of alcohol-related issues in the United States. In addition to his scholarly work and publications, Martin has advised and appeared on television programs aired on the History Channel and also advises New York-based Talon Films on historical issues. Recently he has become involved in movie production.
Education, background, and achievements
Martin received his B.A. from Hiram CollegeHiram College
Hiram College is a private liberal arts college located in Hiram, Ohio. Founded by Amos Sutton Hayden of the Disciples of Christ Church in 1850, the institution has, since its first days, been nonsectarian and coeducational, and throughout its existence Hiram College has sustained this egalitarian...
(summa cum laude) and then earned his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. He began his teaching career at Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
, where he earned the rank of Professor of History and also served for a period as Vice President for Academic Affairs. In 1980, Martin moved to the University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
, having accepted assignment as the Department Chair of History.
Martin helped to found the Papers of Thomas Edison project at Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
and for a few years served on its board of advisers. He was also on the advisory board of the Papers of William Livingston project. Martin has served as general editor for a book series, the American Social Experience (New York University Press), and as a consulting editor for a book series entitled Conversations with the Past (Brandywine Press). Martin is currently serving on the advisory board of editors for the Critical Historical Encounters book series sponsored by Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
.
Martin has consulted with some of the nation's most eminent law firms with regard to the history of various consumer products, including alcohol and tobacco, and has collaborated and appeared on programs aired by the History Channel. Talon Films of New York also regularly consults with Martin on historical matters. Martin has worked on two current movie screenplays: one focusing on Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold V was a general during the American Revolutionary War. He began the war in the Continental Army but later defected to the British Army. While a general on the American side, he obtained command of the fort at West Point, New York, and plotted to surrender it to the British forces...
’s treason and the other on Oneida warrior Han Yerry Doxtader and Mohawk warrior Joseph Brant
Joseph Brant
Thayendanegea or Joseph Brant was a Mohawk military and political leader, based in present-day New York, who was closely associated with Great Britain during and after the American Revolution. He was perhaps the most well-known American Indian of his generation...
.
Teaching inventory
Martin's teaching interests include early American history through the Revolution, American military history through the Civil War, and the history of medicine and health in the United States, particularly that of drinking, smoking, and drug usage. He teaches or has taught many undergraduate courses at the University of Houston, including a survey history of the United States; topical courses in colonial and Revolutionary American history; and capstone courses on such subjects as disease and addiction in the American experience. At the graduate level, Martin has offered a variety of courses, including early American historiography as well as introductory and advanced courses on research and writing in United States history.Research interests
Martin is the award-winning author and editor of twelve books and numerous scholarly articles. His current research interests focus on military, social, and political aspects of early American history, especially the Revolutionary era and beyond.Martin recently completed a major revision of his co-authored work, A Respectable Army: The Military Origins of the Republic, 1763-1789 (2006), and he has co-authored (with Joseph Glatthaar) Forgotten Allies: The Oneida Indians and the American Revolution (2006). In 2008, a new third edition of Ordinary Courage: The Revolutionary War Adventures of Joseph Plumb Martin, also appeared.
Martin's current writing projects includes The Remarkable Revolution: How the United States Avoided Becoming a Military Dictatorship, 1775-1787 (tentative title, with Oxford University Press), as well as a volume on Han Yerry Doxtader and the Iroquois
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
Indians titled American Warrior: Han Yerry Doxtader, the Battle of Oriskany, and the Decline and Fall of the Six Nations of Iroquois Indians. Two other projects under way include an investigation of Benedict Arnold's treason (with Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
), and a study of the history of smoking in America (a companion volume related to his earlier co-authored book on drinking in America).
Works
- Men in Rebellion: Higher Government Leaders and the Coming of the American Revolution
- Interpreting Colonial America: Selected Readings
- The Human Dimensions of Nation Making: Essays on Colonial and Revolutionary America
- The American Revolution: Whose Revolution? with K. R. Stubaus.
- In the Course of Human Events: An Interpretive Exploration of the American Revolution
- Citizen-Soldier: The Revolutionary War Journal of Joseph Bloomfield with M. E. Lender.
- Drinking in America: A History 1620-1980, with M. E. Lender.
- Benedict Arnold, Revolutionary Hero: An American Warrior Reconsidered
- American and Its Peoples: A Mosaic in the Making with Randy W. Roberts, Steven H. Mintz, Linda O. McMurry, and James H. Jones.
- Forgotten Allies: The Oneida Indians and the American Revolution, with Joseph T. Glatthaar
- A Respectable Army: The Military Origins of the Republic, 1763-1789, with M.E. Lender.
- Ordinary Courage: The Revolutionary War Adventures of Joseph Plumb Martin
Degrees
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Hiram CollegeHiram CollegeHiram College is a private liberal arts college located in Hiram, Ohio. Founded by Amos Sutton Hayden of the Disciples of Christ Church in 1850, the institution has, since its first days, been nonsectarian and coeducational, and throughout its existence Hiram College has sustained this egalitarian...
, Hiram, Ohio (summa cum laude and departmental honors in history) - Master of Arts (M.A.): The University of Wisconsin (Madison), 1967
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): The University of Wisconsin (Madison), 1969
External links
- UH Faculty listing: http://www.uh.edu/class/history/faculty-and-staff/martin_j/index.php
- Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/jameskirbymartin
- Amazon listing: http://www.amazon.com/James-Kirby-Martin/e/B001IOHA3W