James Martin
Dr James Martin provided both the vision and support required to establish the James Martin 21st Century School at the University of Oxford in 2005. He remains keenly engaged with the School's ambitions, and in March 2009 launched a new fundraising campaign for the School with a pledge of $50 million in matched funding.
Martin is a Pulitzer nominee for his book The Wired Society: A Challenge for Tomorrow, published in 1977, and based on his predictions and progressive views about technology. British-born Martin is known as “the Guru of the Information Age”, and is one of the world's foremost authorities on the social and commercial ramifications of computers. He was ranked 4th in ComputerWorld’s 25th Anniversary Edition’s most influential people in computer technology. In addition to an MA in Physics and a Doctorate from the University of Oxford (Keble College), Martin has honorary doctorates from all six continents.
Martin is an author, business leader, and social entrepreneur in the fields of digital technology, education, and international development. He has written more than 100 books, some of which were seminal works that changed perceptions in the IT industry. His latest book, published in 2006 by Riverhead/Penguin, is entitled The Meaning of the 21st Century. It is currently being filmed for public broadcast. Martin founded James Martin and Company, now called Headstrong, which is an international IT consulting company working in complex system development with leading companies worldwide.
You can see James Martin, founder and benefactor of the James Martin 21st Century School, in an interview with Ian Goldin (requires RealPlayer), the School's first Director, talking about his vision for the 21st century and the main themes of his new book. He also has a personal website with further information about his book, film and other activities.
The very generous support that has made the 21st Century School a reality is Martin’s second major benefaction to the University of Oxford. It builds on the work of the James Martin Institute for Science and Civilization, recently renamed as the Institute for Science, Innovation and Society, which Martin endowed in 2004, and which has already established itself as an influential force.
James Martin has also given a large endowment to the Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. The Center is affiliated with the 21st Century School, contributing its perspective on the dangers of weapons of mass destruction to the work of the School in exploring the potential consequences of emerging technologies that could shape the future of mankind.
