Edward Smith

Commander Edward John Smith (27 January 1850 – 15 April 1912) was a British merchant sea captain and naval officer, who became best known as the captain of the ill-fated ocean liner RMS Titanic. Born in Hanley, Staffordshire, Smith joined the British Merchant Navy at age 17 as an apprentice, beginning a long and distinguished mercantile career. In 1880, he joined the White Star Line as an officer, rising quickly to become a captain in their fleet. He concurrently served in the Royal Naval Reserve, reaching the rank of "Commander" and receiving the Reserve Decoration when he was released in 1905. During the Second Boer War, Smith served as the commander of troop transport ships, transporting British Imperial troops to the Cape Colony and was awarded with the Transport Medal for his services. A popular figure in the mercantile service, Smith was known as the "Millionaire's Captain" for his social skills and hospitality. He was considered the White Star Line's unofficial Commodore, serving as captain on the maiden voyages of numerous of their luxury liners. In 1912, Smith became captain of the Titanic and perished along with 1,495 others when the ship sank on her maiden voyage after colliding with an iceberg.