Edward Smith
Edward John Smith, RD, RNR (27 January 1850 – 15 April 1912) was an English naval reserve officer. Raised in a working environment, he left school early to join the Royal Naval Reserve. After earning his master, he entered the service of the White Star Line, a prestigious British company. He quickly rose through the ranks, and graduated in 1887 his first command aboard the SS Celtic. He served as commanding officer of numerous White Star Line vessels, including the Majestic ' (which he commanded for nine years) and attracted a strong and loyal following amongst passengers. He is best known as the captain of the maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic, which struck an iceberg and sank on 15 April 1912; Smith and over 1,500 others perished in the sinking. There is a statue of him in Beacon Park, Lichfield, England.
Personal facts
| Alias (AKA) | Smith Edward John |
|---|---|
| Birth date | January 27, 1850 |
| Birth place | |
| Date of death | April 15, 1912 |
| Known for |