Arthur Jackson Brewe

Who was Dr Arthur Jackson Brewe?

Dr Arthur Jackson Brewe was an Irish-born physician and first-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic who perished in the ship’s sinking on April 15, 1912. Born in Woodford, County Galway, Ireland on August 18, 1866, Brewe built a successful medical career in Philadelphia after immigrating to the United States in 1888. He was 45 (forty-five) years old at the time of his death.

Early Life and Family Background

Irish Roots and Childhood

Arthur Jackson Brewe was born into a Roman Catholic family in the village of Woodford, County Galway. His father, Henry Joseph Brew(e), served as a sub-Inspector of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC). His mother, Frances Alicia Jackson, hailed from County Kerry. Arthur had one known sibling, a brother named Benjamin Thomas, born in 1867.

Tragedy struck early in Arthur’s life when his father passed away on June 28, 1869, in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare. Arthur was not yet three years old at the time. His mother remarried in 1875 to Joseph Stapleton Butler, a medical practitioner from Turloughmore, County Galway. This union brought Arthur two half-sisters: Mary Joseph (born 1877) and Frances Mary (born 1878).

Education and Early Career

Brewe received his early education in Glencoe before attending the prestigious Clongowes School in Clane, County Kildare. He then went on to study at Trinity College, Dublin. Shortly after graduating, the young Arthur embarked on a life-changing journey to America in 1888, arriving in June aboard the Umbria.

Life in America

From Journalism to Medicine

Upon arriving in the United States, Brewe initially settled in New York before relocating to Philadelphia. His early career in America saw him working as a journalist, making several transatlantic voyages in this capacity.

An interesting fact about Brewe’s frequent travels emerged during one of his trips:

On May 25, 1897, when arriving in Philadelphia aboard the Pennland, the emigration inspector noted that Brewe had been to the USA “12 times.”

This frequent travel between Ireland and America highlights Brewe’s strong ties to both countries.

Medical Career and Professional Achievements

Brewe’s career took a significant turn when he pursued medical studies at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. He graduated in 1905, specializing in neurology. Dr Brewe’s professional affiliations included:

• American Medical Association
• Francis S. Dercum Neurology Society
• National Geographical Society
• Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania

These memberships reflect Brewe’s commitment to his profession and his wide-ranging intellectual interests.

Personal Life

Marriage and Residences

On January 7, 1898, Arthur married Annie Constance Gregory, a native of London, in Philadelphia. Annie had immigrated to the USA around 1895. The couple lived at various addresses in Philadelphia throughout their marriage, including:

• 2215 N. Sydenham Street (1901)
• 1327 Airdrie Street (1905)
• 2133 South 58th Street (1908)
• 1812 South 58th Street (1909-1912)

Travel and Final Journey

Dr Brewe was an avid traveler. In early 1912, he embarked on an extended tour that included Africa, Egypt, Rome, Naples, Florence, and Paris. It was at the conclusion of this journey that he boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg for his fateful return to America.

The Titanic Voyage

Boarding and Associations

Dr Brewe boarded the Titanic as a first-class passenger, holding ticket number 112379, which cost £39 12s. Interestingly, he may have been serving as a doctor to Emma Eliza Bucknell, a wealthy Philadelphian. He was also acquainted with the famous Titanic survivor Margaret Brown, and all three had visited the Sphinx in March 1912.

Tragic Fate

Dr Arthur Jackson Brewe did not survive the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. His body, if recovered, was never identified. The loss of Dr Brewe was felt deeply in Philadelphia, where he had established his medical practice and made his home.

Legacy and Aftermath

The Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, in response to the tragedy, petitioned the United States Congress to require adequate safety equipment on ships. They also memorialized the nine male passengers from Philadelphia who had perished, including Dr Brewe.

The impact of Brewe’s death rippled through his family:

• His widow, Annie, was reported to be in serious condition upon learning of her husband’s fate.
• His mother, Frances, never fully recovered from the loss of her eldest son and passed away on December 1, 1912, at Winterfield House in Galway.

Annie Brewe left Philadelphia just over a year after the disaster, returning to England. She spent her final years in Romford, Essex, where she passed away on November 9, 1939.

Dr Arthur Jackson Brewe’s life, cut short at 45 years old, was one of adventure, academic achievement, and professional success. From his Irish roots to his American dream, Brewe’s story encapsulates the transatlantic narrative of many at the turn of the 20th century, tragically intertwined with one of history’s most famous maritime disasters.