Daniel Warner Marvin

Who was Mr Daniel Warner Marvin?

Mr Daniel Warner Marvin was an 18 (eighteen) year-old American first-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on February 12, 1894, in Canastota, New York, he was a newlywed and the son of Henry Norton Marvin, a pioneer in the early motion picture industry. Daniel’s tragic story encompasses a whirlwind romance, a groundbreaking filmed wedding, and his heroic sacrifice during the Titanic disaster.

Early Life and Family

A Legacy of Innovation

Daniel Warner Marvin was born into a family at the forefront of technological innovation. His father, Henry Norton Marvin (b. 1862), was the founder of American Mutoscope and the Biograph Company, two early motion picture production houses. This connection to the burgeoning film industry would play a significant role in Daniel’s short life.

Family Ties

Daniel’s mother was Oramella Lucretia Tackabury (b. 1860), and he had three siblings:

• Robert (b. 1886)
• Marguerite (b. 1889)
• Kenneth (b. 1891)

Interestingly, Daniel was named after his paternal grandfather, Daniel Warner Marvin (1824-1913), establishing a family legacy that would be cut short by tragedy.

The Marvin Family’s Cinematic Legacy

Biograph Company and Legal Battles

The Marvin family’s involvement in the early film industry was significant. Their studios were located in an old New York City “brownstone” on 14th Street and Fifth Avenue, a building previously owned by a member of the Cunard family. This location became a crucible of cinematic innovation:

• Legendary filmmaker D.W. Griffith made his first films with Henry Marvin and his partner
• Henry’s brother worked as a cameraman at the studio
• The company faced legal challenges from Thomas Edison’s group over patent infringement

In a twist of fate, Biograph employed a former Edison employee who developed a camera that circumvented patent restrictions. Additionally, Biograph’s business manager acquired rights to the Latham Loop, a crucial film projection technology. These strategic moves led to an arranged association between The Edison Group and Biograph, solidifying the Marvin family’s place in film history.

A Cinematic Romance

The First Filmed Wedding

Daniel’s personal life became intertwined with his family’s cinematic legacy when he married Mary Graham Carmichael Farquharson on January 8, 1912, in Manhattan. While their actual wedding was not filmed, the couple participated in a unique event:

• On March 12, 1912, they restaged their wedding ceremony for the camera
• The event took place at Mary’s parents’ home at 317 Riverside Drive
• The London Daily Mirror reported it as the very first wedding to be “cinematographed”

This pioneering moment in film history showcased the Marvin family’s influence on early cinema and added a touch of glamour to Daniel and Mary’s young romance.

The Titanic Journey

A Honeymoon Cut Short

Following their cinematic nuptials, Daniel and Mary embarked on a European honeymoon, sailing aboard the Mauretania. For their return journey to the United States, they booked passage on the RMS Titanic, boarding at Southampton as first-class passengers.

The Fateful Night

On the night of April 14, 1912, as the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, Daniel Marvin demonstrated remarkable bravery. He assisted his wife Mary to a lifeboat with the poignant words, “It’s alright, little girl. You go. I will stay.” This selfless act ensured Mary’s survival, but tragically, Daniel perished in the disaster at the young age of 18 (eighteen).

Legacy and Remembrance

A Posthumous Father

In a bittersweet turn of events, Daniel became a father after his death. Mary gave birth to their daughter, Mary Margaret “Peggy” Marvin (later Mrs. Wheaton Kittredge), on October 21, 1912, just over six months after the Titanic disaster.

Family Aftermath

The Titanic tragedy had far-reaching effects on the Marvin family:

• Mary Marvin later remarried and had two more children before her death in 1975
• Daniel’s mother passed away in 1937
• His father, Henry Norton Marvin, died on January 12, 1940
• Daniel and Mary’s daughter, Peggy, lived until October 7, 1993, passing away in Massachusetts

A Stone of Remembrance

Today, Daniel Warner Marvin is memorialized with a headstone in Warners Village cemetery, Onondaga County, New York. This monument stands as a testament to a life cut short, but one that left an indelible mark on both cinema history and the Titanic’s enduring legacy.

Daniel Warner Marvin’s story encapsulates the romance, innovation, and tragedy of the early 20th century. From his family’s pioneering work in cinema to his own groundbreaking filmed wedding and his ultimate sacrifice aboard the Titanic, Daniel’s brief life continues to captivate those who study the ill-fated ship’s history.