Edward John Smith was born on January 27, 1850 in Hanley, Staffordshire, England. He was the son of a potter and later a grocer. Smith attended a school in Etroria, which was supported by Wedgwood pottery. However, his formal education ended at the age of about twelve. Smith began his naval career as a teenager when he joined Senator Weber's crew in 1867. Over the years, he rose through the ranks steadily, earning degrees as a second fellow in 1871, a first fellow in 1873, and a master's degree in 1875. His first command was the Lizzie Vinnell, a 1,000-ton ship transporting goods to and from South America. This early experience laid the foundation for his future career and instilled in him a deep understanding of the sea and navigation. He was known for his dedication and hard work, which helped him rise through the ranks quickly.

In 1880, Smith moved into passenger ships when he joined White Star Line. By 1885, he became the first officer in the republic. In 1887, Smith married Eleanor Pennington. The couple welcomed their only child, Helen, in 1902.

Eight years later, Smith took command of the Baltic passenger ship. He went on to serve as commander of several other ships in the White Star Line. From 1895 to 1904, Smith commanded the Majestic. He also served in the British Royal Navy during the Boer War in South Africa. These experiences have enhanced his skills and prepared him to face the challenges that lie ahead.

In 1902, the White Star Line was purchased by the International Mercantile Marine (IMM) in a deal financed by the renowned banker JPMorgan. A new Baltic ship was added to the White Star Line fleet in 1904 with Smith as its commander. With a weight of 23,000 tons, the Baltic was one of the largest ships of the time. His next ship, the Adriatic, was larger. By this time, Smith was highly regarded by his company and was known and respected among travelers on the North Atlantic route between the United States and Europe. He was known for his calm demeanor and ability to handle difficult situations with grace and professionalism.

In 1912, Smith became captain of the Titanic. He was in Belfast on 2 April 1912 for the ship's first sea trials. Two days later, the ship docked in Southampton and was ready for its maiden voyage across the North Atlantic. The Titanic was the marvel of its time, a symbol of technological progress and luxury. It was built by White Star Line, a prominent British shipping company. The construction of the Titanic was part of an ambitious plan for the company to compete with other major shipping lines.

On 2 April 1912, the Titanic underwent its first naval trials in Belfast. Two days later, the ship docked in Southampton and was ready for its maiden voyage across the North Atlantic. The voyage was highly anticipated, and the departure of the ship was a major event attended by a large crowd.

On April 10, 1912, the Titanic left Southampton and stopped at Cherbourg, France to carry more passengers and mail. The ship was scheduled to stop again in Queenstown (now Kobe), Ireland, before heading to New York.

Just after 11:40 p.m. On April 14, 1912, Captain Edward John Smith felt a strange vibration. He made his way to the deck of the Titanic and asked a crew member what the ship had hit. One crew member's terrifying answer was: "Iceberg, sir."

Despite the crew's efforts to move away from the iceberg, the ship collided with the iceberg, causing its hull plates to bend inward along its starboard side and open five of its sixteen waterproof compartments into the sea. Over the next two and a half hours, the ship gradually filled with water and sank.

The sinking of the Titanic killed more than 1,500 people, making it one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in history. The ship had lifeboats for only about half of the people on board, and the lack of enough lifeboats was cited as one of the main reasons for the high casualty toll. The disaster led to major changes in maritime regulations, including new laws requiring a sufficient number of lifeboats on ships and the establishment of an international ice patrol. Smith landed the ship, a fact that has been hailed as an act of noble self-sacrifice and criticized as a failure to lead.

More than 100 years later, it can be difficult to discern the truth. But Smith's actions before, during, and after the catastrophic iceberg impact are hard to detect. Where was the captain of the Titanic when the ship hit the iceberg? How did he react when panic fell on the 2,240 passengers and crew? Was it his fault to sink the stricken ship and kill some 1,500 people on board? These questions remain part of the enduring legacy of Edward John Smith. He is seen as the stereotype of how a brave captain behaves, working to the end to save lives before disembarking his ship, yet many also blame him for causing one of the worst maritime disasters ever. Despite the controversy surrounding his actions, the story of Captain Edward John Smith and the Titanic still captures the imagination of the public more than a century after the disaster. It serves as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the tragic consequences of human error.