page_title: Martineau family
section_title: Sir Thomas Martineau and family
hierarchical_section_title: Martineau family / Sir Thomas Martineau and family
caption_attribution_description: English: http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/gallery/kate-middletons-birmingham-links-7206077
context_page_description: The Martineau family is an intellectual, business and political dynasty associated first with Norwich and later also London and Birmingham, England. The family were prominent Unitarians; a room in London's Essex Hall, the headquarters building of the British Unitarians, was named after them. Martineau Place in the city's Central Business District was named in their honour.
  In Birmingham, several of its members have been Lord Mayor. They worshipped at the Church of the Messiah, where they mingled with other dynastic families of that denomination, such as the Kenricks and the Chamberlains, with much intermarriage occurring between them. Several of the Martineaus are buried in Key Hill Cemetery, either in the family grave or separately.
context_section_description: Sir Thomas Martineau (4 November 1828 – 28 July 1893) was the son of Robert and Jane Martineau, born on the family estate on Bristol Road, now Martineau Gardens. He married Emily Kenrick (1838–1899), whose family was also part of Liberal Birmingham politics. Emily was the sister of Florence (1847–1875), whose marriage to Joseph Chamberlain bore a son, Neville, who became prime minister. Emily was also the cousin of William Kenrick MP.
  Joseph Chamberlain was then the Leader of the Liberal Unionists, and with his assistance Sir Thomas was instrumental in getting the Welsh Water Bill through Parliament and getting Birmingham made an assizes town. Like his father, Sir Thomas was also Mayor of Birmingham, holding office from 1884 to 1887. In his final year he was knighted. He died on 28 July 1893 and is buried alongside his family at Key Hill Cemetery. Colonel Ernest Martineau (1861-1952), son of Sir Thomas, was Lord Mayor of Birmingham 1912–14; his first cousin, Neville Chamberlain, replacing him in this role in 1915.
  Robert Francis (16 May 1831 – 15 December 1909), brother of Sir Thomas, was an alderman, secretary of the Birmingham and Midland Institute, chairman of the Technical School committee, trustee to Mason Science College, and then a member of the council of its successor institution, the University of Birmingham. He and his family were the third generation of Martineaus to live at Highfield Road, Kings Norton, Edgbaston.
caption: Politician Sir Thomas Martineau (1828–1893), the uncle of World War II Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain
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