Edward Smith (sea captain)
Edward Smith | |
|---|---|
Smith in 1911 | |
| Born | Edward John Smith 27 January 1850 Hanley, Staffordshire, England |
| Died | 15 April 1912 (aged 62) |
| Occupations | Sea captain, naval officer |
| Years active | 1867−1912 |
| Employer | White Star Line |
| Known for | Captain of the RMS Titanic |
| Spouse |
Sarah E. Pennington (m. 1887) |
| Children | 1 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Naval Reserve |
| Rank | Commander |
| Conflicts | Second Boer War |
| Awards | |
Captain Edward John Smith RD RNR (27 January 1850 – 15 April 1912) was a British sea captain and naval officer, who became best known as the captain of the ocean liner RMS Titanic. Born in 1850 in Hanley, Staffordshire, he joined the White Star Line in 1880 as an officer, beginning a long career in the British Merchant Navy. Smith went on to serve as the master of numerous White Star Line vessels and was chosen to captain many of them on their maiden voyages. During the Second Boer War, he served in the Royal Naval Reserve, transporting British Imperial troops to the Cape Colony. In 1912, Smith became captain of the Titanic, and perished along with 1,495 others when the ship sank on her maiden voyage.