Governor Martin was born on December 11,1935. He was born in savannah, Georgia, but was raised in Winnsboro, South Carolina. Martin was a tenor in his High school’s Glee club.

Martin was an athlete and had a background in chemistry. He also performed in the Charlotte Symphony. During the summer of his Junior year, he worked for Enjay Chemical, in New Jersey.

Martin attended Davidson College and Princeton University. He spent four years at Davidson College, where he earned a B.S. degree in Martin earned his Ph.D. in He then taught chemistry at Davidson College from

Martin is the son of Arthur Morrison Martin, who was a Presbyterian minister. Martin had three brothers. His older brother Arthur was a pathologist, and his brother Neal was a librarian.

His brother Joseph was a Bank of America executive. All four brothers graduated from Davison College, and all of them earned doctoral degrees. Martin married his wife in His wife’s name is Dorothy Ann McAulay. His children’s names are James G. Martin Jr., Emily, and Benson Martin.

In 1972, Martin was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and served there until He was one of six Republicans representing North Carolina. In 1984, Martin decided to run for Governor of N.C.

In 1984, Martin defeated Ruby Hooper. He also became the second member of the Republican Party to be elected Governor of N.C. since In 1988, he was re-elected. Governor Martin left office in 1993.

Martin was a politician and a Republican. He is an accomplished sailor, Shriner, and a Presbyterian layman. Governor Martin is currently employed with McGuire Wood Consulting as a Senior Advisor. Martin has three children, four grandchildren, and is 74.