What was the name of the Titanic's captain?

The Titanic’s captain was Edward John Smith. A highly experienced British merchant-navy officer, Smith took command of RMS Titanic for its maiden voyage in April 1912 and died when the ship sank after striking an iceberg.

Smith was born in Hanley, Staffordshire, in 1850 and joined the White Star Line in 1880. He became one of the company’s most senior and popular captains, commanding several prestigious liners and earning the nickname “Millionaires’ Captain” because wealthy passengers often chose ships under his command.

Titanic left Southampton on 10 April 1912. On the night of 14 April, the ship struck an iceberg at about 11:40 p.m. ship’s time. Smith ordered the crew to prepare the lifeboats and send wireless distress calls, but Titanic sank in the early hours of 15 April, taking Smith with it.

The most common mix-ups involve other prominent figures aboard the ship. Bruce Ismay was the White Star Line’s chairman, Thomas Andrews was Titanic’s chief designer, and Charles Lightoller was the senior surviving officer—not the captain.