Edward J. Smith
Edward J. Smith
In full:
Edward John Smith
Born:
January 27, 1850, Hanley [now in Stoke-on-Trent], Staffordshire, England
Died:
April 15, 1912, at sea, northern Atlantic Ocean (aged 62)

Edward J. Smith (born January 27, 1850, Hanley [now in Stoke-on-Trent], Staffordshire, England—died April 15, 1912, at sea, northern Atlantic Ocean) British captain of the passenger liner Titanic, which sank in 1912. Smith began working on boats while he was a teenager. In 1875 he earned a master’s certificate, which was required to serve as captain. In 1880 he became a junior officer with the White Star Line, and seven years later he commanded his first ship. Smith subsequently helmed numerous vessels while also enduring a series of mishaps. On several occasions his ships ran aground, and in 1911 he ...(100 of 315 words)