<P> Edward John Smith, RD (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 who perished when the ship sank on its maiden voyage . </P> <P> 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 was 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 . </P> <P> 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; over 1,500 perished in the sinking, including Smith who went down with the ship . For his stoicism and fortitude in the face of adversity, Smith became an icon of British "stiff upper lip" spirit and discipline . </P> <P> Edward John Smith was born on 27 January 1850 on Well Street, Hanley, Staffordshire, England to Edward Smith, a potter, and Catherine Hancock, born Marsh, who married on 2 August 1841 in Shelton, Staffordshire . His parents later owned a shop . </P>

Did the captain of the titanic abandon ship