The celebrated actress Helena Faucit, born in London in 1817, first appeared on the stage in 1833 at the Richmond Theatre as Juliet. Her first appearance in London was at Covent Garden on 5 January 1838 as Julia in The Hunchback, and from that time she appeared with Macready in his Shakespearian revivals and other plays. She retired in 1865, but reappeared on the stage from time to time, chiefly in the cause of charity. She last appeared at the Theatre Royal, Manchester, as Rosalind, on 2 October 1879.

She married at St. Nicholas's, Brighton, on 25 August 1851 Theodore Martin (1816-1909), solicitor and author. Her husband was created K.C.B. on 20 March 1880 and she became Lady Martin.

Lady Helena Martin died at Bryntysilio near Llangollen on 31 October 1898 and was buried in Brompton cemetery, London.