Biography

Ben Martin was born on September 16, 1930 in Salisbury, North Carolina, USA. He is known for Leatherheads (2008), Mr. Destiny (1990) and Hollywood at Your Feet: The Story of the Chinese Theatre Footprints (2000). He was married to Kathryn Leigh Scott. He died on February 10, 2017 in Salisbury, North Carolina, USA.

Ben Martin the first Time staff photographer from 1957-89, photographed for all divisions of Time, including Life, Fortune, People, Sports Illustrated, Money, Discover, Entertainment Weekly, Architectural Forum, House and Home, Time-Life Books and HBO. Covered the Kennedy, Nixon presidential debate, Martin Luther King Alabama march. Most know for his historic photographs of the President John F Kennedy state funeral.

Ben Martin was only one of two press photographers permitted on the set during the Presidential debate between Richard Nixon and John F Kennedey. His photo showed Nixon with sweat beaded up on his forehead, his tired eyes and slightly disheveled look. Martin traveled to Selma, Alabama, and for the next four days he covered the Selma-to-Montgomery March. Chief U.S. Marshall John Doar said, "Martin was the best shield Dr. King could have because he was always in front, walking backwards photographing his every move.

Ben Martin, TIME Magazine's first staff photographer from 1957-89, photographed for all divisions became part of the historical record, the day when the news that President John F. Kennedy had been shot. Ben was then sent to Washington D.C. to help cover the aftermath there and the funeral. Even more incredible were the images he captured with his camera during those historic days. He photographed nearly non-stop, working 20 hours a day and subsisting on orange juice and bananas. At the Capitol, where Kennedy's casket lie in state, a Secret Service agent escorted him up into the dome where he shot down on those paying respects to the slain President. He photographed Mrs. Kennedy, Caroline and John-John, as they walked down together the Capitol steps after the funeral. He photographed Mrs. Kennedy, JFK's brother, Robert, and his mother, Rose, standing at the graveside. All but one of the photos in TIME from that day were taken by Ben. Unprecedented access of that kind today is nearly non-existent.