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 Employee Stock Purchase and Bonus 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 24th day of May, 2000.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
/s/ Alan I. Kirshner /s/ Mark J. Byrne
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Alan I. Kirshner, Director (Chief Executive Officer) Mark J. Byrne, 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 /s/ Gary M. Markel
------------------------------------------ --------------------------------
Darrell D. Martin, Director, Executive Vice President Gary M. Markel, Director
and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Nigel H. J. Rogers
-----------------------------------------
Nigel H. J. Rogers, Director
/s/ Thomas S. Gayner
-----------------------------------------
Thomas S. Gayner, Director
/s/ John J. Byrne
-----------------------------------------
John J. Byrne, Director
</TABLE>
