Edgar Joseph Meyer

Who was Edgar Joseph Meyer?

Edgar Joseph Meyer was a 28-year-old American mechanical engineer and first-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on January 13, 1884, in San Francisco, California, Meyer was known for his heroic actions during the sinking of the Titanic, where he sacrificed his own life to help save others.

Early Life and Family

A Prominent Family Background

Edgar Joseph Meyer was born into a wealthy and influential family. His father, Eugene Marc Meyer (1842-1925), was a successful dry goods merchant who later became a banker. His mother, Harriett Newmark (1852-1922), came from a mixed German and English heritage. The couple married on November 20, 1867, in Los Angeles, setting the stage for a family that would leave its mark on American society.

Siblings and Family Connections

Edgar was part of a large and accomplished family. His siblings included:

• Rosalie (1869-1956, later Mrs. Sigmund Stern)
• Elise (1872-1953, later Mrs. Abraham Stern)
• Florence (1873-1930, later Mrs. George Blumenthal)
• Eugene Isaac (1875-1959)
• Bertha Ruth (1877-1967, later Mrs. Alfred Cook)
• Aline (1879-1966, later Mrs. Charles Liebman)
• Walter Eugene (1881-1957)

This extensive network of siblings would later play significant roles in American business and society.

Education and Early Career

From West Coast to East Coast

While Edgar was born in San Francisco, his family eventually moved east. The 1900 census shows the Meyer family residing on Ocean Avenue in Monmouth, New Jersey. At this time, the young Edgar was described as a bank clerk, possibly following in his father’s footsteps in the financial world.

Pursuing a Career in Engineering

Despite his early work in banking, Edgar Joseph Meyer ultimately chose a different path. By the time of the Titanic’s voyage, he had established himself as a mechanical engineer, showcasing his technical aptitude and innovative spirit.

Personal Life and Marriage

A Union of Prominent Families

In 1909, Edgar married Leila Saks, born in 1886 in Baltimore, Maryland. Leila came from a family with German roots, and their marriage likely united two influential families of the time. The couple welcomed their daughter, Jane, on May 19, 1911, less than a year before the fateful Titanic voyage.

The Titanic Journey

A Hastily Arranged Voyage

Edgar and Leila’s journey on the Titanic was not a planned vacation but a hurried response to tragic news. Leila’s father had passed away on April 8, 1912, just two days before the Titanic’s departure. The couple quickly arranged to board the ship at Cherbourg, France, as first-class passengers.

Ticket Details

• Ticket Number: PC 17604
• Cost: £82, 3s, 5d (equivalent to approximately $13,000 in 2023)

The Night of the Sinking

Edgar’s Heroic Actions

As the Titanic began to sink on the night of April 14-15, 1912, Edgar Joseph Meyer demonstrated remarkable courage and selflessness. His wife, Leila, later recounted his actions:

“I tried and tried to get Edgar to come into the lifeboat with me, and pleaded to be allowed to stay behind and wait until he could leave, he not caring to leave before all the women had been saved. Mr. Meyer finally persuaded me to leave, reminding me of our one-year-old child at home. I entered the lifeboat and watched until the Titanic sank, but only for a short time did I see my husband standing beside the rail and assisting other women into boats in which he might have been saved.”

This poignant account paints a picture of a man who, despite the opportunity to save himself, chose to prioritize the safety of others, particularly women and children.

Leila’s Survival

While Edgar remained on the sinking ship, Leila was rescued in lifeboat 6. This lifeboat is notable for being under the command of Quartermaster Robert Hichens and for carrying the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown.

Legacy and Remembrance

A Life Cut Short

Edgar Joseph Meyer perished in the Titanic disaster at the young age of 28 (twenty-eight). His body, if recovered, was never identified, leaving his family without the closure of a proper burial.

Family After the Tragedy

Following the disaster:

• Edgar’s parents continued to reside in Manhattan until their deaths (mother in 1922, father in 1925)
• Leila Meyer remarried before her death in 1957
• Their daughter Jane (later Mrs. George A. Stern) lived until 1984

Edgar Meyer’s Lasting Impact

Edgar Joseph Meyer’s story is a testament to the human capacity for sacrifice and heroism in the face of unimaginable circumstances. His decision to help others, knowing it would likely cost him his life, embodies the spirit of “women and children first” that has become synonymous with the Titanic disaster. Today, Meyer is remembered not just as a victim of one of history’s most famous maritime disasters, but as an example of courage and selflessness in the face of certain doom.