Martin Severin From

Martin Severin Janus From (8 April 1828 – 6 May 1895) was a Danish chess master renowned for devising From's Gambit, an opening move within Bird's Opening (1.f4 e5). Born in Nakskov, he attended Nykøbing Falster Grammar School. During the Prussian–Danish War (Schleswig-Holstein War of Succession), he served under Major-General Olaf Rye and fought at the Battle of Fredericia on 6 July 1849.

After the war, From settled in Copenhagen, initially working at the Statistical Bureau where he met Magnus Oscar Møllerstrøm, a leading chess player. He later worked in prison management and was appointed inspector of Christianshavn Penitentiary. In 1891, he received the Ridder af Dannebrog order.

From excelled in chess, winning the Copenhagen tournament in 1862 and serving as President of Københavns Skakforening from 1865 onwards. He participated in the Paris 1867 tournament, tying for 12th–13th place. His legacy includes the development of From's Gambit, which he demonstrated in Paris, and his death in 1895 due to cancer, with burial at Vestre Cemetery in Copenhagen.