Martin L. A. Sternberg became deaf at the age of seven from spinal meningitis. He was educated at Public School 47 for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in New York City.Martin Sternberg was graduated from the City College of New York in 1949 with a B. S. in Social Science. He later received a M. A. in Communication from American University, Washington, D.C.From 1949 to 1951 he worked as an Assistant teacher of English at Gallaudet College. In 1953 he returned to Gallaudet College and worked as an Assistant teacher of English and Director of Public Relations. He left Gallaudet in 1956. Martin Sternberg is known for his book entitled “American Sign Language; A Comprehensive Dictionary” published in 1981.