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Martin Torodash
March 13th, 1928 - March 5th, 2026
March 13th, 1928 - March 5th, 2026
Let not history fear to say anything true - Cicero
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Martin Torodash, historian, author, scholar of the Age of Exploration, and antiquarian bookseller, died peacefully on March 5, 2026, in Teaneck, New Jersey, eight days before his 98th birthday.
Born in 1928, he served in the United States military before pursuing graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania and New York University. He taught history and political science at Fairleigh Dickinson University for nearly twenty-five years, retiring in 1986.
A specialist in the history of exploration, Dr. Torodash devoted much of his scholarly career to the study of Columbus, Magellan, cartography, and the encounter between Europe and the New World. His articles appeared in numerous academic journals, including the Hispanic American Historical Review, and he contributed to major reference works, including The Discoverers: An Encyclopedia of Discovery and Exploration and the Encyclopedia of Latin America. His contributions to the topic have been called "magisterial" in peer review.
Retirement marked the beginning of a second career. Drawing on a lifetime of scholarship, he became a respected antiquarian bookseller specializing in exploration, travel, maps, and early Americana. Among collectors, librarians, and fellow historians, he was known for his deep knowledge of rare books and manuscripts relating to the great voyages of discovery.
He was predeceased in 2023 by his beloved wife of more than fifty-five years, Sarah ("Sally") Torodash. Together they made their home at Overlee Farm in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, where they shared a lifelong love of books, learning, and their cherished black Scottish Terrier, Angus.
He is survived by his nieces and nephews and cousins.
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Nancy Lem
I met Martin (Dr. Torodash to you, thank you) in 1974 when I was a student in FDU. I was a history major which meant that I was taking classes with all of the professors within the history department. I was warned by other students that Martin was a tough grader and many students who needed only the minimum history credits for a BA degree avoided his courses. But I found his courses to be engaging and thought provoking, plus he was a great lecturer. He became my advisor and by Junior year, I fretted over the possibility (then as now) that there would be no meaningful employment for a history major after college. When I decided that I would try to go to law school and become a lawyer, Martin was the only adult in my life who provided encouragement and guidance. He suggested more English courses to strengthen my writing because lawyers "write". He wrote my letters of recommendation. I eventually practiced law for 40 years. I am forever grateful that Martin was in my life in college and for the decades afterwards. May he rest in peace, along with his lovely wife, Sally.
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