James Martin (1738–1810) was a British banker and politician who sat in the

House of Commons The House of Commons is the name for the elected lower house of the Bicameralism, bicameral parliaments of the United Kingdom and Canada. In both of these countries, the Commons holds much more legislative power than the nominally upper house of ...

for 31 years from 1776 to 1807. Martin was the third son of John Martin MP banker, of Overbury and Lombard Street and his wife Catherine Jackson, daughter of Joseph Jackson of Sneyd Park, Gloucestershire. He was born on 4 June 1738 and was educated by Rev. Matthew Bloxam, vicar of Overbury and Rev. James Graham, of Hackney. On leaving school he entered the family banking house. He married Penelope Skipp, daughter of Joseph Skipp of Upper Hall, Ledbury, Herefordshire on 17 February 1774. Martin was elected Member of Parliament for

Tewkesbury Tewkesbury ( ) is a market town and civil parish in the north of Gloucestershire, England. The town grew following the construction of Tewkesbury Abbey in the twelfth century and played a significant role in the Wars of the Roses. It stands at ...

in a by-election on 8 April 1776 following the death of his brother

Joseph Joseph is a common male name, derived from the Hebrew (). "Joseph" is used, along with " Josef", mostly in English, French and partially German languages. This spelling is also found as a variant in the languages of the modern-day Nordic count ...

. He "acquired a reputation for his scrupulously independent attitude". Martin was returned unopposed for Tewkesbury in the 1780 general election. He acquired the nickname Starling Martin after condemning Fox's India bill on 1 December 1783 by saying he "wished there were a starling to perch on the Speaker's chair and repeat incessantly 'disgraceful, shameless Coalition'". By 1790, Martin was head of the family bank in London. He was returned unopposed in 1790 but there was a contest in

1796 Events January–March * January 16 – The first Dutch (and general) elections are held for the National Assembly of the Batavian Republic. (The next Dutch general elections are held in 1888.) * February 1 – The capital of Upper Can ...

. He was returned unopposed in

1802 Events January–March * January 5 – Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin, British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, begins removal of the Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon in Athens, claiming they are at risk of destruction during the Ott ...

. He was considering retiring before the next election, but in

1806 Events January–March *January 1 ** The French Republican Calendar is abolished. ** The Kingdom of Bavaria is established by Napoleon. *January 5 – The body of British naval leader Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, lies in state ...

he stood again and was returned unopposed. He retired in

1807 Events January–March *January 7 – The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland issues an Order in Council prohibiting British ships from trading with France or its allies. *January 20 – The Sierra Leone Company, faced with b ...

, intending for his eldest son

John John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second E ...

to take his seat, but John was not successful in the election. Martin died on 26 January 1810.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Martin, James 1738 births 1810 deaths British MPs 1774–1780 British MPs 1780–1784 British MPs 1784–1790 British MPs 1790–1796 British MPs 1796–1800 UK MPs 1801–1802 UK MPs 1802–1806 UK MPs 1806–1807 Members of the Parliament of Great Britain for Tewkesbury Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for Tewkesbury