Edward Sandford Martin

Edward Sandford Martin


Edward Sandford Martin (1856 to 1939) was an American journalist and editor who was born in on his grand-uncle's estate "Willowbrook" near Auburn, New York. The youngest son in a large and socially prominent family, Martin finished secondary education in 1872 at Phillips Academy and 5 years later graduated with a bachelor's degree from Harvard. In 1876 Martin was one of the founders of the Harvard Lampoon. In 1883 he became the first literary editor of Life Magazine, and from 1887 to 1933 its chief editorial writer. In 1884 he was admitted to the bar at Rochester, New York, and from 1885 to 1893 he was Assistant Editor for the Rochester Union and Advertiser. In 1896 Martin moved with his family to New York City, and between 1920 and 1935 wrote the column "Easy Chair" for Harper's Magazine.