Martin Jay Baron, well-known fact-checker for New Yorker

Martin Jay Baron of Riverdale, a well-known fact-checker at The New Yorker, passed away on Monday, June 20, 2022. He was 85.

He is survived by his loving sister, Ellen Baron Blaustein (Dr. Mordecai P. Blaustein); niece, Laura (Sidney) Cahn; nephew, Marc (Jessica) Blaustein; great-nieces, Anna Blaustein and Madeleine Cahn; and great-nephew, Benjamin Blaustein.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Henrietta Baron, and sister, Ruth Poger.

He was a devoted son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, great-uncle and loyal friend.

He was a gentle soul with a kind heart, and was generous to all.

A gifted scholar and teacher, he mentored generations of fact-checkers and worked editing magic for writers. He received a bachelor’s degree in history from Washington University in St. Louis, and then earned a master’s degree in English constitutional history from Columbia University.

Not long after that, he began his long, storied career at The New Yorker, where he rose to be head of the magazine’s renowned fact-checking department.

It was in that capacity that he was portrayed in the film “Bright Lights, Big City.”

He will be dearly missed.

Sol Levinson & Bros in Pikesville, Maryland, was in charge of funeral arrangements. He is interred at Arlington Chizuk Amuno Cemetery, 4450 N. Rogers Ave., Baltimore.

Contributions in Martin Baron’s memory may be sent to Columbia University, School of General Studies, P.O. Box 1383, New York, N.Y., 10277 or The New York Public Library.