Martin Picker (1929–2005) was known especially for his work on the chansonniers of Marguerite of Austria and the music of Ockeghem, Isaac, and Josquin—as, in short, an eminent historian of music. He lived the cultured life of a serious scholar, an intellectual, and a man of letters.

The elder of two children, he enrolled at the University of Chicago at the age of 15, and there earned a BA in philosophy and an MA in history. Drafted into the military, he expected to serve in the Korean war, but instead completed his military service in Germany. There he studied European art, music, and architecture, the particular experience that shaped and clarified his professional goals. He then undertook graduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a Ph.D. in 1960. There too, he met his life partner, Ruth Gross; they were married in June 1956 in New Jersey. They had three children: Anne Theresa, Catherine Jeanne, and John Martin.

Picker’s first appointment was at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, from 1959. In 1961 moved to Rutgers University, where he spent the rest of his career, retiring in 1997. He was editor of the Journal of the American Musicological Society (1969–71) and, following Alvin H. Johnson, interim executive director of the Society (1993–96). The Martin Picker Fund was established in 2005 by Ruth G. Picker.

as of 1 November 2007:

Balance: $25,466

Donors (12):

Bartlett Butler
Michael Cherlin
Roland Jackson
Wilbur Lewis
Russell E. Murray
Marita P. McClymonds
Michael McDonald
Joseph Orchard
Ruth G. Picker**
Joshua Rifkin
Richard Sherr
Marica S. Tacconi

** = $5,000 or more
  * = $1,000 or more