Martin Jeffries

Originally from Manchester, U.K., Martin is an accidental geophysicist and polar scientist, and, since 2021, a member of Osher at Dartmouth and the Curriculum Committee. He has given Osher courses about the Arctic and Antarctica, and the socio-economic history of the U.K. (Liverpool & Slavery, Manchester & Cotton). Intrigued by the knowledge that Manchester, NH, was named after Manchester, U.K., he also gave a course about the Amoskeag cotton and wool mills on the Merrimack River. Martin is retired and lives in West Lebanon, NH.

The Icy Ends of the Earth: The Arctic & Antarctica Explained (Fall Term 2024)

Participant Testimonials: 

This course was excellent, outstanding in every way.

Martin's classes were filled with information,  and made especially interesting by his anecdotes about his time working in arctic regions. 

Not only is Martin extremely knowledgeable on the subject, but he also has the ability to explain scientific terms and phenomena in ways that make it understandable to novices.

The Mile of Manufactories on the Merrimack at Manchester (Spring Term 2024)

Participant Testimonials: 

I enjoy Martin classes and the way he teaches. He answers all questions, and encourages class participation

Martin is an expert on the subject and he traced the development of the textile industry from Manchester England to Manchester New hampshire.He also covered the development , growth and the eventual closing of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company

Liverpool: A Dock, A Stadium and An Enslaver (Fall Term 2023)

Participant Testimonials: 

Excellent and enlightening. It added a whole new perspective to my thinking on the slave trade that I learned as a young student.

Everything about this class was excellent. He is a wonderful teacher and his references led me to additional reading - Schama’s The Power of Art, Orwell’s The Road to Wigan Pier and learning more about the much overlooked founding father, Gouverneur Morris.

"Cottonopolis”: The First Industrial City (Winter Term 2023)

Participant Testimonials:

Martin has done an amazing job of using maps and pictures and presenting them via Zoom better than just about any Osher lecturer.

Even after having grown up in Manchester, Martin still did his homework, presenting information which was new to him!

Arctic Climate System: Rapid Change, Global Impact (Fall Term 2022)

Participant Testimonials:

This course exceeded my expectations. It introduced me to so many aspects of the Arctic that no one ever talks about. The Arctic is a huge and complex subject - fascinating!

Martin’s entire career was studying the Arctic region and his knowledge of the subject is tremendous.