mˈɑːɹtɪn wʌz bˈɔːɹn ɪn kˈæmbəslˌæŋ, skˈɑːtlənd, ðə sˈʌn ʌv hˈæɹi sˈʌmɚvˌɪl mˈɑːɹtɪn, ɑːfθˈælmɪk sˈɜːdʒən ænd ᵻlˈɪzəbəθ kɹˈeɪɡ ˈælən, nˈeɪ tˈɑːm.
Martyn was born in Cambuslang, Scotland, the son of Harry Somerville Martyn, ophthalmic surgeon and Elizabeth Craig Allan, née Thom.