Professor Stephen Martin

Prof Dr Stephen Martin is an art historian, collector, and former doctor. He was born in Redcar, Yorkshire, England. His inspiration for history came from his father directing archaeological excavation. Stephen assisted his history lectures from age 8, while his mother also studied history at college as a mature student.

Medical Career

Stephen graduated in medicine from Newcastle upon Tyne in 1987, directing NHS research at St Lukes Hospital, Middlesbrough from 1995, as Visiting Fellow at the University of Teesside. He also trained and worked as a Police Surgeon for seven years.1 In a three-year tenure as Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the University of Durham, he was the clinical lead on the largest ever study of suicide.2, 3 He was made Visiting Professor in the University of Sunderland at age 34, and won the Hospital Doctor Award “Psychiatrist of the Year” for UK-wide NHS psychiatry.4 Stephen worked on functional brain scanning5, 6 and taught students from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. His work showed brain scan function changes with psychotherapy for depression for the first time ever.7 Later it was much replicated.8 His papers have over 4000 citations. Stephen distinguished himself winning awards as an expert witness in the British Courts, examining the probability likelihood of conclusions from  complex evidence.9, 10, 11 He has had a lifelong, severe spinal disability, which drove an interest in helping the disabled.

Voluntary Teaching in Asia

He retired from clinical psychiatry, pursuing research in art history and voluntary teaching in South East Asia. From 2006 to date, he has been Honorary Professor at the University of Chiang Mai, Thailand. He served as Sabbatical Professor in the University of Mahasarakham, Faculty of Arts, in 2016.  

Teaching, Research and Writing in Humanities

In art history, Stephen won a George Henderson Scholarship for non-historian undergraduates working on Copper Plate Engravings of Long Eighteenth- Century Hospitals and Medical Schools, supervised by Professor Norman McCord, in 1982. He researches and writes original papers on art history, particularly long eighteenth-century portraits and the Europe-Asia interface. In 2018, he was elected Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, working on portraits12, 13, 14 and Asia.15, 16, 17 A lifelong collector, he is donor, co-founder and adviser to Baan Dong Bang Museum and Education Centre, http://www.BDBEC.org helping an underprivileged area of South East Asia. It has galleries of historic paintings, furniture, glass and ceramics, with a library, set in labelled, tropical botanical gardens. Stephen contributes to the free public lecture programme in Thai and English. He also speaks fluent French and German. Stephen has published over 30 papers on art history, mainly on old master portraits, their origins,18 symbols19, 20, 21  and psychology.22, 23, 24, 25 Having an LTCL performance diploma, he plays the flute in lectures to illustrate links between Mozart, The Dutch East India Company and eighteenth-century portraiture.26, 27

Selected Distinguished Listings

Who’s Who in the World. 16th edition 1999. Marquis Who’s Who, New Providence, from 1999.

Debrett’s People of Today.  Debretts Ltd, Richmond. From 2014 – 2017, when publishing ceased.

Academic Positions

* Visiting Fellow, University of Teesside, 1995-1998.
* Honorary Senior Research Fellow, Durham University, 1996-1999.
* Visiting Professor, University of Sunderland, 1999-2006.
* Sabbatical Professor, University of Mahasarakham, Faculty of Arts, 2016.
* Honorary Professor, Chiang Mai University, 2006 to date.
* Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, 2018 to date.

Selected Scholarships and Awards – Art History

* George Henderson Scholarship for Undergraduate History Research, 1982, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne. On: Copper plate engravings of long eighteenth-century hospitals and medical schools. Supervisor Professor Norman McCord, a world authority on Regency history.
* Baan Dong Bang Museum and Education Centre – Awards:
Best community development project, Jangwat, 2022
Best public architecture, Jangwat, 2022

Selected Scholarships and Awards – Medicine

* UK Neuropsychiatry Team of the Year, Westminster Trophy, 2004
* Winner, Hospital Doctor Award, Psychiatrist of the Year, NHS UK, 1997  
* Porsche Scholarship, 1985, for study in Johannes Guttenberg University, Mainz
* Academic Papers – over 4000 total citations

Selected Art History Publications

  1. Martin S D. The symbolic portrait of Mozart’s medical patron, Dr Ferdinand Dejean. Hektoen International Journal of Medical Humanities. Spring, 2018.
  2. Martin S D. Anatomy and pathology in Zurbaran’s Jewish and Christian figures. Hektoen International Journal of Medical Humanities. Summer, 2018.
  3. Martin S. Proto-impressionism and the forgotten lives of Regency women. Foundation, Durham Uni, X, 1, 2018, 179-209.
  4. Martin S. Editorial: Polymathy. Foundation, Durham Uni, X 1. 2018, vii-viii.
  5. Martin S, Lead L. The Wedgwood cameo of Haydn. Haydn Society Journal, Issue 38, 2019, 9-13.
  6. Martin S D. Modern neuroscience and the ideas of the Enlightenment. Hektoen International Journal of Medical Humanities. Spring, 2020.
  7. Martin S D. Ophthalmology in Regency era China: a portrait of Thomas Richardson Colledge by George Chinnery. Hektoen International Journal of Medical Humanities. Spring, 2020.
  8. Martin S D. The memorial of Thomas Johnson, eighteenth-century barber surgeon. Hektoen International Journal of Medical Humanities. Winter, 2021.
  9. Stephen Martin. The patronage and playability of Mozart’s flute works. Hektoen International Journal of Medical Humanities. Fall 2021.
  10. Stephen Martin. John Hunter, his wolf dogs and the inherited smiles of Pomeranians. Hektoen International Journal of Medical Humanities. Fall 2021.
  11. Stephen Martin. The painting of The Good Samaritan in Bracciano Castle. Hektoen International Journal of Medical Humanities. Summer 2022.
  12. Stephen Martin. Medical aspects of the effigy of Henry VII. Hektoen International Journal of Medical Humanities. Spring 2023. Explores emphysema induced by gunpowder.
  13. Martin, Stephen. Was the VOC Funding Mozart? The Diaries of Wilhelm Buschman on Kharg Island. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society. 33, no. 2 (Cambridge University Press, 2023): 489–511. A forensic investigation of how stolen pearls paid for portraits and the Mozart flute concertos.
  14. Martin, Stephen. Blindness and visual sensory distortion in Thomas Bewick’s woodcuts. Hektoen International Journal of Medical Humanities. June 2023.
  15. Martin Stephen. Art, anhedonia and family psychodynamics in the creativity of Nathaniel Hawthorne. Hektoen International Journal of Medical Humanities. Summer 2023.
  16. Stephen Martin. Aidan Jones. Anatomy and psychology in George Stubbs’ portrait of Joseph Banks. Hektoen International Journal of Medical Humanities. Fall 2023.
  17. Stephen Martin. The Portrait of Joseph Banks by George Stubbs. Cook’s Log. Journal of the Captain Cook Society, April 2024, pp. 32-35. ISSN 1358-0639.
  18. Stephen Martin. Nicolò Manucci, physician at the Court of Prince Shah Alam in seventeenth-century India. Hektoen International Journal of Medical Humanities. Spring 2024.
  19. Khwan Phusrisom, Stephen Martin. A walk through time. Ideas and objects in a unique collection of art and history. Lemongrass Books, Shildon, 2024. ISBN-13: 9781916356313
  20. Stephen Martin. Prophesy and reflection: Australian Links in George Stubbs’ Portrait of Joseph Banks. Endeavour Lines. N. Captain Cook Soc Australia, November 2024, pp. 5-8. ISSN 2653-7516.
  21. Stephen Martin. Captain Cook, Wedgwood and the Scientists. Cook’s Log. Journal of the Captain Cook Society, October 2024, pp. 6-11. ISSN 1358-0639.
  22. Stephen Martin. Portraits of William Hunter by Reynolds, Chamberlin, and Ramsay. Hektoen International Journal of Medical Humanities. Winter 2024-2025.
  23. Stephen Martin. Faustina Maratti’s poem and altarpiece on losing her infant son. Hektoen International Journal of Medical Humanities. Spring 2025
  24. Stephen Martin. Wedgwood Medallions of Cook’s Wider Circle. Cook’s Log. Journal of the Captain Cook Society, April 2025, pp. 34-36. ISSN 1358-0639.

Selected Medical Publications

  1. Martin S D, Bende B, Breitner B, Laker M, Leslie F.   East and West, Old and New: The College Tour of Germany. Psychiatric Bulletin, October 1994, 18, 10,639-642.
  2. Illing J, Martin S D, Ferrier N, Drinkwater C A. Survey of General Practitioners’ Views of Mental Health Services in Newcastle upon Tyne. Clinician in Management, Churchill Livingstone, 1994, 3, 9-11.
  3. Martin, S D, Reeves, R W K. A German lesson on mental care. The Times, 10 October, 1994, 19.
  4. Martin, S D. General Practitioners’ views of mental health services in Torbay/South Devon and Newcastle – a comparison. Clinician in Management, Churchill Livingstone, 1995, 4, no 3, 2-4.
  5. Martin, S D. Chapter: Functional Brain Scanning in Depression, in Peer Selected Citations Psychiatry ’95, Current Medical Literature Ltd, 1995, 15-20. ISBN 1 85009 101 3
  6. Martin, S D. Psychiatric training in police surgeon work. Psychiatric Bulletin, 1996, 20, 3, 182.
  7. Desai N M, Huq Z, Martin S D, McDonald G. Switching from Depot Antipsychotics to Risperidone: Results of a Naturalistic Study in Patients with Chronic Schizophrenia. Advances in Therapy, 1999. 16, No. 2, 78-88, March/April 1999.
  8. Martin S D, Rai S S, Richardson R, Royall R.  Brain blood flow changes in depressed patients treated with Interpersonal Psychotherapy or Venlafaxine Hydrochloride: preliminary findings. Archives of General Psychiatry, 58, July 2001, 641-648.
  9. Meltzer HY, Alphs L, Green AI, Altamura AC, Anand R …  Martin S … Zimmerman MA. Clozapine treatment for suicidality in schizophrenia: International Suicide Prevention Trial (InterSePT). Archives of General Psychiatry. 2003. Jan; 60 (1): 82-91. As world lead recruiter, project design co-author, European principal investigator.
  10. Bourgeois M, … Martin S … Mortimer A, et al. Awareness of disorder and suicide risk in the treatment of schizophrenia: results of the international suicide prevention trial. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2004 Aug; 161 (8): 1494-6.
  11. Maneeton N, Maneeton B, Srisurapanont M, Martin SD. Bupropion for adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: meta-analysis of randomised, placebo-controlled trials. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2011 Dec; 65 (7): 611-7.
  12. Maneeton B, Maneeton N, Srisurapanont M, Martin SD. Quetiapine monotherapy in acute phase for major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials. BMC Psychiatry, 2012. 12. 160.

References

  1. https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/8245EA2FF5E7F5D42FA9C74A98FFE5B7/S0955603600105653a.pdf/psychiatric_training_in_police_surgeon_work.pdf
  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15285981/ 
  3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12511175/
  4. NHS UK Hospital Doctor Awards, 1997, Hospital Doctor magazine
  5. Martin, S D. Functional Brain Scanning in Depression. Peer Selected Citations Psychiatry ’95, Current Medical Literature, 1995, 15-20.
  6. Martin SD. IBZM and HMPAO Studies in interpersonal psychotherapy for depression. Proceedings of Association of European Psychiatrists, Heidelberg, Germany, May 2003.
  7. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/481798
  8. https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/how-psychotherapy-changes-brain
  9. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-27940943
  10. https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/15948890.wrexham-murder-trial-he-would-go-blank-for-four-or-five-minutes/
  11. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2660238/Sisters-High-Court-inheritance-battle-cancer-stricken-mother-leaves-fortune-lover-barely-half-age.html
  12. https://royalasiaticarchives.org/index.php/informationobject/browse?names=5128&sort=endDate&sortDir=desc&view=table&topLod=0
  13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etUdJvfr2WY
  14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Qums_MkdKc
  15. https://thesiamsociety.org/lectures/ Prof Stephen Martin, A Creative Karma? The Fall of Ayutthaya and Mozart’s Flute Music. 7 February 2019, Siam Society
  16. https://hekint.org/2023/12/14/medical-monuments-in-st-johns-church-kolkata/
  17. https://hekint.org/2024/04/22/nicolo-manucci-physician-at-the-court-of-prince-shah-alam-in-seventeenth-century-india/
  18. https://hekint.org/2022/06/08/the-painting-of-the-good-samaritan-in-bracciano-castle/
  19. https://hekint.org/2025/04/03/faustina-marattis-poem-and-altarpiece-on-losing-her-infant-son
  20. https://hekint.org/2025/01/16/portraits-of-william-hunter-by-reynolds-chamberlin-and-ramsay
  21. https://hekint.org/2020/05/20/ophthalmology-in-regency-era-china-a-portrait-of-thomas-richardson-colledge-by-george-chinnery/
  22. https://hekint.org/2018/08/01/anatomy-and-pathology-in-zurbarans-jewish-and-christian-figures/
  23. https://hekint.org/2021/11/05/john-hunter-his-wolf-dogs-and-the-inherited-smiles-of-pomeranians/
  24. https://hekint.org/2023/11/30/anatomy-and-psychology-in-george-stubbs-portrait-of-joseph-banks/
  25. https://hekint.org/2023/06/05/blindness-and-visual-sensory-distortion-in-thomas-bewicks-woodcuts/
  26. https://hekint.org/2018/04/12/symbolic-portrait-mozarts-patron-dr-ferdinand-dejean/
  27. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-the-royal-asiatic-society/article/abs/was-the-voc-funding-mozart-the-diaries-of-wilhelm-buschman-on-kharg-island/A932D3AB43F2643B90FFD270E606FC45