Captain Smith and his senior officers photographed on board Titanic, April 1912. Back row, L to R: Herbert McElroy, Charles Lightoller (Second Officer), Herbert Pitman, Joseph Boxhall, Harold Lowe; Front row, L to R: James Moody, Henry Wilde (Chief Officer), Edward Smith, William Murdoch (First Officer). Edward John Smith (January 27, 1850 - April 15, 1912) was a British Merchant Navy officer. 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. He quickly rose through the ranks and graduated in 1887. He served as commanding officer of numerous White Star Line vessels including the Majestic and attracted a strong and loyal following among 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 April 15, 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. He was 62 years old.