Edward Smith (sea captain)

Captain Edward John Smith R.D. R.N.R.
Captain E.J. Smith
Born	(1850-01-27)27 January 1850 Hanley, Staffordshire, England
Died	15 April 1912(1912-04-15) (aged 62) Atlantic Ocean
Cause of death	Drowned in the ship; body never recovered
Resting place	41°43′32″N 49°56′49″W / 41.72556°N 49.94694°W / 41.72556; -49.94694
Nationality	British
Occupation	Ship Captain
Employer	White Star Line
Known for	Captain of R.M.S. Titanic
Spouse(s)	Sarah Eleanor Pennington (1887–1912; his death)
Children	Helen Melville Smith (1898–1973) (aged 75)
Parent(s)	Edward Smith Catherine Hancock (nee Marsh)
Notes
Ranks: Commander – RNR Captain – White Star Line Honorific Rank of , as the White Star Line's most senior Captain

Edward John Smith, RD (/ˈɛdʊɑːrd ˈdʒɒn ˈsmɪθ/; 27 January 1850 – 15 April 1912) was a British Merchant Navy officer. He served as master of numerous White Star Line vessels. He is best known as the captain of the RMS Titanic, perishing when the ship sank on its maiden voyage.

Raised in a working environment, he left school early to join the Merchant Navy and the Royal Naval Reserve. After earning his master's ticket, 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.

In 1904, Smith became the commodore of the White Star Line, and was responsible for controlling its flagships. He successfully commanded the Baltic, Adriatic and the Olympic. In 1912, he was 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. For his stoicism and fortitude in the face of adversity, Smith became an icon of British "stiff upper lip" spirit and discipline.