-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 JBxMkLy3MwGUudf4yKlk0yYmtQLOPf/fu9chfRA1bkwkLu2ap6pE47+QQPW5nrx1
 pMdtt0huP5kdok+C6JyOqg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-05-014180.txt : 20050713
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-05-014180.hdr.sgml : 20050713
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050713140626
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-05-014180
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050711
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050713
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050713

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FIRST MARBLEHEAD CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001262279
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PERSONAL CREDIT INSTITUTIONS [6141]
		IRS NUMBER:				043295311

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		30 LITTLE HARBOR
		CITY:			MARBLEHEAD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01945
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7816392000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		0 LITTLE HARBOR
		CITY:			MARBLEHEAD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01945

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Tarr Peter B
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001332147

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31825
		FILM NUMBER:		05952040

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		800-895-4283

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O THE FIRST MARBLEHEAD CORPORATION
		STREET 2:		800 BOYLSTON STREET, 34TH STREET
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02109
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-07-11</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001262279</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FIRST MARBLEHEAD CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FMD</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001332147</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Tarr Peter B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O THE FIRST MARBLEHEAD CORPORATION,</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>800 BOYLSTON STREET, 34TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02199</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>General Counsel</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-07-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>146584</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>146584</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>146584</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each restricted stock unit represents the right to receive one share of common stock on the applicable vesting date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The restricted stock units vest in five equal annual installments commencing on July 11, 2006, the first anniversary of the date of grant.  Vested shares will be issued to the reporting person as soon as practicable after each vesting date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Donald R. Peck, by power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-07-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----