An electrode material for a secondary cell comprising as its essential component a powder of graphite having a crystallinity of 90% or more obtained by graphitizing a highly heat resistant polymer compact in an anaerobic atmosphere and crushing into a powder, and a process for the production of an electrode material for a secondary cell comprising heating and graphitizing a composition in which 0-10 wt % of a boron compound is added to a highly heat-resistant polymer to produce a powder of graphite having crystallinity of 90% or more contained as its essential component. An electrode material for a secondary cell having excellent charge/discharge cycle life and discharge voltage performance is provided.