‘He was brilliant and kind’

Islanders who crossed paths with Dr James Martin have told us they were struck by his intellect and generosity.

They said his death was a loss to not just Bermuda, but the whole world.

Many of Dr Martin’s closest friends and family were too upset to talk about his sudden passing yesterday.

But prominent figures in the community said they were deeply shocked and saddened by the news.

Conservationist David Wingate worked with Dr Martin as he built his home on Agar’s Island in the Great Sound.

He said: “This is a great loss not just to our island, but the world as a whole.

“He put a lot of wealth into founding the college in Oxford to help tackle the world’s problems.

“His home was a splendid bit of planning and one of the best pieces of architecture on the island in the way it preserved the ammunition storage sites and other historic land marks on the island.

“He was a very focused individual and an absolutely brilliant person in his field. I’m sure his death will be a great shock to all who knew him as well as the college community in Oxford. He continued to work tirelessly and his tragic and sudden death is such a shock because he was still as sharp as they come.”

Businessman Dick Butterfield, who met him during a lecture in Canada, described Dr Martin as “a brilliant man”.

He told the Sun: “He was way ahead of most, if not all of his colleagues in the work he specialized in.

“He was an eloquent speaker and I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to speak to him when I heard him talk. Although I lived close to him I rarely saw him. I would often go through Two Rock Passage, look at house and remember what a privilege it was to meet the very accomplished man.

“I wish I had known him better. His passing is unfortunate for the world he lived in.”

Environmentalist Stuart Hayward said: “I had one or two conversations with him but it was early very clear that the depth and breadth of his thinking was too far beyond mine for me to be anything more than a listener.

“His was a stunning intellect and he could imagine in practical terms the movement of human existence toward a practical utopia — as different from an idealistic one.

“He had a magnificent grasp of computer systems and how to apply that technology to the preferred outcomes for business and for humanity. 

Problem solvers

“His greatest achievement will no doubt be the school he created at Oxford University to foster future generations of innovative solvers of the problems facing humanity. His intellect and generosity are legendary and will be missed.”

Dr Tony Knap, the former boss of the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences where Dr Martin has made a number of speeches also paid tribute to his old friend. 

He said: “James Martin was an amazing person who was really interested in the impact of man on the future of the planet. 

“His extraordinary generosity by providing over $100 million to Oxford University to create the JMI as an endowed center to research these issues and help find solutions for the future.

“He also shared his concerns in an enlightening film on the subject. Jim was truly a brilliant man and will be missed.”