Claude Martin, the Founder of the La Martiniere Schools was born on 4th January, 1735, in Lyon, France. He signed up with the French Compagnie des Indes and came to India, seeking his fortune. Later he enlisted in the Bengal arm of the British East India Company in 1763.
A gallant soldier, he rose to the rank of Major-General in 1775 and moved on to become the mediator for the Nawab of Oudh and the British. Claude Martin amassed a huge fortune.
He was a man of vision and he left generous endowments for the founding of schools which have been established in Lyon, Lucknow and Kolkata.
Major General Claude Martin passed away on 13th Sept, 1800. La Martiniere, Kolkata was finally opened on 1st March, 1836. Originally a single school, it was housed in what is today the boys’ school campus. In 1840, La Martiniere for Girls became a separate entity... and since then there has been no looking back. Education of students from marginalised backgrounds are taken care of by the school, known as foundations, as mentioned in the will of the founder. These foundationers stay in the school hostel.
This was designed by Major General Claude Martin himself. It is supported by seven flags each bearing the design of a fish, the emblem of Oudh. These flags represent his journey over “the seven seas” to India. The devices on the escutcheon (shield) epitomise Claude Martin’s career: the ship recalls his voyage to India where, centre of the shield, he firmly established his fortunes in Oudh, as an officer of the East India Company. This is represented by the lion with the pennant. The setting sun behind the castellated building on the right of the shield, indicates the sunset of his days and the important part which the building of ‘Constantia’ played in his twilight years. Since then there has been no looking back.
Sir Catchick Paul Chater was a Foundationer who studied in La Martiniere from 1856-1863. A hard-working and brilliant scholar, he launched on a career in Commerce and became a very rich, famous, and deeply respected Banker in Hong Kong. His legendary philanthropy earned him a knighthood from the British Crown.
When he learnt that the La Martiniere Schools were in deep financial distress and on the verge of closure, he sent his Alma Mater a generous donation of Rs. 6 lakhs in 1925 and Rs. 5 lakhs the following year.
To perpetuate the name of Chater, a grateful Martinian included his name in the school prayer and an annual holiday was named after him as “Chater Day.”