ONE OF OVER 2,208 PASSENGER & CREW STORIES - JOSEPH BRUCE ISMAY, BORN DECEMBER 12, 1862

Bruce Ismay, sometimes considered the villain of Titanic, was the son of the White Star Line’s founder. He was educated at Elstree School in Harrow, England and in France. By the late 1880s, he was an employee of the White Star Line in New York City, where he married Florence Schieffelin in 1888. The couple had two children before moving to England, and when his father died in 1899, Bruce became head of the company.

In 1907, Mr. and Mrs. Ismay dined at the London home of Lord Pierrie, and the men discussed strategies about how to compete with the newer Atlantic liners Cunard had introduced. It was at this dinner that the idea for three enormous luxury liners, including Titanic, was conceived. The question foremost in their minds was how to capture the immigrant business; to offer unrivaled luxury for wealthy passengers was another priority.

Ismay seemed to realize his dream April 10, 1912, when he actually boarded one of the ships conceived at the dinner with Lord Pierrie—the RMS Titanic, the largest man-made vessel in history. Ismay traveled as a first-class passenger along with his valet.

During the voyage, Ismay was overheard as he suggested to Captain Smith that, despite warnings of ice in the vicinity, Titanic should set a speed record for crossing the Atlantic. He may have hoped for headlines heralding the accomplishment in major newspapers throughout the world.

On the night of April 14, 1912, Bruce Ismay entered Collapsible C lifeboat and was rescued by Carpathia. Because of his position with White Star Line, he was vilified by the press for saving himself when so many others died. He went on to live in relative seclusion, and his wife was to comment that Titanic ruined their lives.

Bruce Ismay died in October 1937.