EXHIBIT 24


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


     The undersigned hereby appoints Darrell D. Martin, Gregory B. Nevers or
Richard W. Whitt (each with full power to act alone), as his true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact, and grants unto said attorneys the authority in his name and
on his behalf to execute and file (individually and in the capacity stated
below) any documents relating to the registration by Markel Corporation (the
"Company") and the Markel Corporation Retirement Savings Plan (the "Plan") of
shares of common stock of the Company ("Common Stock") and/or plan interests in
connection with the Plan and any and all amendments or supplements to any of the
foregoing, with all exhibits and documents required to be filed in connection
therewith.  The undersigned further grants unto said attorneys, and each of
them, full power and authority to perform each and every act necessary in order
to accomplish the foregoing registration as fully as he himself might do.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed this power of attorney this
16th day of May, 2001.






 
/s/ Alan I. Kirshner                                             /s/ Thomas S. Gayner
---------------------------------------------------------        ----------------------------
Alan I. Kirshner, Director (Chief Executive Officer)             Thomas S. Gayner, Director


/s/ Anthony F. Markel                                            /s/ Leslie A. Grandis
---------------------------------------------------------        ----------------------------
Anthony F. Markel, President, Director                           Leslie A. Grandis, Director


/s/ Steven A. Markel                                             /s/ Stewart M. Kasen
---------------------------------------------------------        ----------------------------
Steven A. Markel, Vice-Chairman, Director                        Stewart M. Kasen, Director

/s/ Darrell D. Martin
---------------------------------------------------------        ----------------------------
Darrell D. Martin, Director, Executive Vice President            Gary M. Markel, Director
and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)


_________________________________________
Douglas C. Eby, Director


_________________________________________
Mark J. Byrne, Director