Edward Smith (sea captain)

Edward Smith RD RNR
Smith in 1911
Born	Edward John Smith (1850-01-27)27 January 1850 Hanley, Staffordshire, England
Died	15 April 1912(1912-04-15) (aged 62) North Atlantic Ocean
Cause of death	Sinking of the Titanic
Occupation(s)	Sea captain, naval officer
Employer	White Star Line
Known for	Being the captain of Titanic
Spouse	Sarah E. Pennington ​ (m. 1887)​
Children	Helen Melville Smith
Military career
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service / branch	Royal Naval Reserve
Rank	Commander
Battles / wars	Second Boer War

Edward John Smith RD RNR (27 January 1850 – 15 April 1912) was a British sea captain and naval officer. In 1880, he joined the White Star Line 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. During the Second Boer War, he served in the Royal Naval Reserve, transporting British Imperial troops to the Cape Colony. Smith served as captain of the ocean liner Titanic, and went down with the ship when she sank on her maiden voyage.