Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Martin, Leopold Charles
MARTIN, LEOPOLD CHARLES (1817–1889), miscellaneous writer, born on 6 Dec. 1817, was second son of John Martin (1789–1854) [q. v.], painter, and godson of Leopold, afterwards first king of the Belgians. He became an excellent French and German scholar, an artist of no mean skill, and an authority on costume and numismatics. In 1836 Lord Melbourne presented him to a clerkship in the stationery office, which he held for many years. He died in London on 8 Jan. 1889. His wife was the sister of Sir John Tenniel of 'Punch.'
With his elder brother Charles (1810–1906) he published in 1842 two 4to volumes entitled respectively 'Civil Costumes of England, from the Conquest to George III' (61 plates, drawn from ancient manuscripts and tapestries, illuminated in gold and colours), and 'Dresses worn at her Majesty's Bal Costumé, May 1842.' He wrote also a useful little book called 'Contributions to English Literature by the Civil Servants of the Crown and East India Company from 1794 to 1863,' 12mo, London, 1865. In conjunction with Charles Trübner he issued in 1862 an elaborate work on 'The Current Gold and Silver Coins of all Countries,' 8vo, 2nd edit. 1863, the plates of which were drawn by him. Martin was likewise author of handbooks to 'Cardiff' and 'Swansea and Gower,' 1879. Just before his death he had commenced to contribute to the 'Newcastle Weekly Chronicle' a series of 'Reminiscences' of his father, the first of which appeared in the number for 5 Jan. 1889.
[Martin's Contributions to English Literature; Newcastle Weekly Chron. 6 Jan. 1889; Athenæum, 19 Jan. 1889, p. 86.]