Jane Martineau was born in London, the first child of seven born to sugar refiner and mechanical engineer John Martineau (1789–1832), and Jane (née Taylor; 1792–1868).[1] She was educated in Stratford upon Avon.[1] In 1831, the family emigrated to America, but returned following John Martineau's death at sea.[1] From a close family, Jane continued living with her other unmarried sisters long after the death of their mother.[1]
Between 1849 and 1855, Martineau registered to study at Bedford College, taking classes in astronomy, drawing, English, geography, mathematics, moral philosophy, and political economy.[1] The college had been founded by Elizabeth Jesser Reid, a friend and - like Jane - a Unitarian.[1] Her skills in administration were sharpened by lessons in bookkeeping, helping her to manage her family's accounts.[1]
Martineau was part of Bedford College from its establishment in 1849.[1] She acted as one of the college's "Lady Visitors", chaperoning students and helping to run the college.[1] Martineau represented the Lady Visitors on the council 1852–1855, and in 1855 she was appointed honorary secretary.[1] She retained this post until her retirement in 1876.[1] Like her other work for the college, this was always unpaid.[1]
In 1860, Reid made Jane Martineau a trustee, increasing her power within the college, and giving her control over two trust funds established by Reid for the college's boarding house and to provide for women's education.[1][3] After Reid's death, Martineau and her fellow trustees took control of Bedford College.[1][4] With one of these, Eliza Bostock, Martineau brought about the closure of the college's attached school, so as to focus on higher education for women.[1]
Jane Martineau was recognized as a capable and meticulous administrator, who also gave significant time to ensuring students' academic success.[1] As Sophie Badham wrote in her entry for the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Martineau "devoted her life to the cause of women's education".[1] She was a signatory on the 1866 suffrage petition.[5]
She died at her home in Hyde Park, London, on 2 January 1882.[1]