Edward Lowe Martin (March 12, 1842 – December 15, 1912) was an American politician who served as the Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri.

[1] Edward was educated in private schools in Kentucky until age 16, when he began working in the field of business.

Edward Martin began his business career at age 16 as a shipping clerk for a wholesale grocery house.

When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Martin was placed in charge of the business when the owner was jailed as a Confederate sympathizer.

Martin's next occupation was that of head bookkeeper at the largest hardware store in his region of Kentucky.