La Martiniere College, Lucknow, established in 1845, was founded in accordance with the Will of Major General Claude Martin. Born in Lyon, France, in 1735, the Founder died in Lucknow on 13th September, 1800. The day of his death, by his own instructions is commemorated as Founder's Day. Under his Will, certain funds were allotted for the establishment of schools in Lucknow, Calcutta and his birthplace in France, Lyon.

La Martiniere College imparts instruction through the medium of English and admission to the College is eagerly sought. Over the span of one and a half centuries, the College has produced soldiers, sailors and airmen who have done the school and their country proud in the two World Wars and in the wars of Independent India. It has also produced engineers, doctors, educationists, administrators and outstanding sportsmen, now scattered over the globe. It counts among its illustrious alumni, men of War and Peace - the Keelor brothers awarded with the Vir Chakra, for shooting down Sabre jets in the Indo-Pak War (1995) and the Nobel Peace Laureate, Dr Rajendra Pachauri. La Martiniere College, Lucknow will have served the nation for 175 years on 1st October 2020.