Thomas Commerford Martin

Who was Thomas Commerford Martin?

Thomas Commerford Martin was an American electrical engineer and editor, born in London, England. His father worked with Lord Kelvin and other pioneers of submarine telegraph cables, and Martin spent much time on the cable-laying ship SS Great Eastern. Educated as a theological student, Martin came to the United States in 1877. He was associated with Thomas A. Edison in his work in 1877–1879 and thereafter was engaged in editorial work. From 1883 to 1909 he served as editor of the Electrical World, after 1909 was executive secretary of the National Electric Light Association, and in 1900–1911 was a special agent of the United States Census Office. At various times he lectured at the Royal Institution of Engineers, London, the Paris Société Internationale des Electriciens, the University of Nebraska, and Columbia. He was a founding member of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, and served as president in 1887-1888.