26th June 2013

James Martin: Futurologist (1933-2013)

Futurologist, author and computer scientist James Martin was found dead on Monday 24th June, in the waters near his home on Agar's Island, Bermuda. British-born Dr Martin was a major inspiration for this website. He wrote over 100 books including Pulitzer-nominated The Wired Society (1977), famous for its remarkably accurate predictions about technology and the Internet. Another of his books, The Meaning of the 21st Century (2007) has been referenced in several places on Future Timeline. He was ranked as the fourth most influential person in computer science by Computerworld.

Dr Martin was recently involved in the Global Future 2045 congress as a speaker and presenter, opening the event with a visionary lecture on "Digital Darwinism". He described the "post brain map era" and foretold a coming "crunch" that is inevitable in our society. He spoke of how "By 2045 there will either be a global renaissance, or a collapse", and also mentioned in his lecture that "Technocracy will replace aristocracy in the future". He also spoke of climate change, overpopulation and high-tech wars.

In 2005, he founded the Oxford Martin School, by donating $150 million to the University of Oxford and becoming the largest benefactor in its 900-year history. In a statement, the Oxford Martin School said he was "an inspiration to millions, an extraordinary intellect, with wide-ranging interests, boundless energy and an unwavering commitment to addressing the greatest challenges facing humanity."

Bermuda Police have said an investigation into Dr Martin's death is ongoing. But a spokesman added: "There does not appear to be any suspicious circumstances."

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