The fourth of six children in an Irish-Australian family of convict descent, Martin Flanagan was born in Tasmania and graduated in law from the University of Tasmania in 1975. He worked in welfare for two years, then travelled overseas for several years.
In 1980 he returned to Australia and wrote scripts for ABC children's radio before starting a cadetship with the Launceston Examiner. He focused on sports writing, and in 1985 he transferred to The Age. He lives in Melbourne with his wife and two children. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Australia and overseas and is well known for his sports writing and his writings on Aboriginal issues.
He is a brother of award-winnng Tasmanian author,
Richard Flanagan (q.v.).