Edith Louise Rosenbaum

Who was Miss Edith Louise Rosenbaum?

Miss Edith Louise Rosenbaum, later known as Edith Russell, was a 32 (thirty-two) year-old American journalist and fashion buyer who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born into a wealthy Jewish family in Cincinnati, Ohio, on June 12, 1879, she became a pioneering female war correspondent and led a life marked by adventure, tragedy, and eccentricity.

Early Life and Family

Edith was born to Harry Rosenbaum, a successful clothes manufacturer, and his wife Sophia. Her father, a first-generation American, had roots in Bavaria, Germany. Growing up in Cincinnati, Edith was the only daughter in a family that enjoyed considerable financial success.

Career in Journalism and Fashion

European Beginnings

In her early adulthood, Edith moved to Europe to pursue a career in journalism. Her work primarily focused on fashion reporting, a field that allowed her to blend her keen eye for style with her writing skills.

A Near-Fatal Accident

In 1911, Edith’s life took a dramatic turn when she was involved in a serious automobile accident near Rouen, France. As reported by The New York Times on August 22, 1911:

AMERICAN GIRLS NEAR DEATH

Automobile In Which They Were Riding Crashes Into Trees, Killing Their Escort

While Edith survived the crash with minor injuries, her friend Ludwig Löwe was killed instantly. This brush with death would not be her last.

The Titanic Journey

Boarding the “Unsinkable” Ship

In April 1912, Edith boarded the RMS Titanic at Cherbourg, France. Her ticket details were as follows:

• Ticket Number: 17613
• Price: £27 14s 5d
• Class: 1st Class
• Cabin: A-11

A Premonition of Doom

Before the ship’s fateful collision, Edith wrote a letter to her secretary in Paris, expressing her mixed feelings about the voyage:

“This is the most wonderful boat you can think of. In length it would reach from the corner of the Rue de la Paix to about the Rue de Rivoli… It is a monster, and I can’t say I like it, as I feel as if I were in a big hotel, instead of on a cozy ship… I cannot get over my feeling of depression and premonition of trouble.”

The Night of the Sinking

On the night of April 14, 1912, Edith experienced the ship’s collision with the iceberg firsthand. From her starboard cabin, she witnessed the iceberg glide past her window. In the chaos that followed, Edith made a decision that would become part of Titanic lore – she had her steward retrieve a small, white toy pig that played music when its tail was wound.

Survival and the Lucky Pig

Edith eventually escaped the sinking ship on Lifeboat 11, clutching her musical toy pig. This quirky detail of her survival story would become one of the most memorable anecdotes from the Titanic disaster.

Life After the Titanic

War Correspondence and Name Change

During World War I, Edith broke new ground by becoming possibly the first female war correspondent, reporting from the trenches. After the war, she adopted the name “Edith Russell.”

A Life of Adventure and Mishaps

Edith’s post-Titanic life was marked by extensive travel and a series of unfortunate events, including:

• Car accidents
• Tornadoes
• Another shipwreck

Despite these experiences, she continued to lead an active and adventurous life.

Later Years and Legacy

Eccentric London Years

In her later years, Edith lived in a London hotel, where she became known for her increasingly eccentric behavior. She:

• Frequently threatened lawsuits against hotel staff and others
• Lived in unkempt conditions
• Rarely allowed cleaning staff into her rooms

A Controversial Figure

Upon her death, a hotel maid reportedly commented to a London reporter: “Old Edy was the contrariest old hag what ever crossed my path.”

Final Days

Edith Louise Rosenbaum Russell died in London on April 4, 1975, at the age of 95 (ninety-five). She never married and left behind only a few scattered cousins. Her remains were cremated at Golders Green Crematorium in London on April 9, 1975, though the whereabouts of her ashes remain unknown.

Edith’s Enduring Titanic Connection

Despite her colorful life and groundbreaking journalism career, Edith Rosenbaum Russell is best remembered for her connection to the Titanic disaster. Her story of survival, complete with the unlikely detail of the musical toy pig, continues to captivate Titanic enthusiasts and historians alike. Her firsthand account of the ship’s final moments and her subsequent experiences offer valuable insights into one of the most famous maritime disasters in history.