Samuel Martin was born in Culmore, County Londonderry, and was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, where he became a Doctor of Laws in 1857. He was called to the Bar in 1830 and became a Queen's Counsel in 1843. In 1847 he served as member of parliament for Pontefract. In 1850 he was appointed Chief Baron of the Exchequer and was knighted. He retired after twenty-five years on the bench and died in London. He was known affectionately as 'the good Sam Martin'.

Born:	1801
Died:	9 January 1883