Elizabeth Margaret Burns

Who was Elizabeth Margaret Burns?

Elizabeth Margaret Burns was a dedicated nurse and Titanic survivor who lived a life of service and adventure. Born in Newark, New Jersey on December 7, 1870, she rose from humble beginnings to become a highly skilled medical professional, surviving one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters and dedicating her life to caring for others.

Early Life and Education

Family Background

Elizabeth was born to Irish immigrant parents, Patrick Burns and Mary Neary. Her early years were marked by loss, as her father passed away on December 27, 1880, when Elizabeth was just 10 years old. Her mother lived until December 31, 1907, providing a foundation for Elizabeth’s early life.

Educational Achievements

Despite the challenges of her youth, Elizabeth excelled academically:

• Graduated from Cathedral School in Newark
• Completed studies at St. Mary’s Academy in Newark
• Graduated with honors from Bellevue Hospital, New York
• Further education at Roosevelt Hospital Training School
• Additional training at Sloane Maternity Hospital
• Specialized training at Willard Parker Hospital for Children’s Diseases

This extensive education prepared Elizabeth for a distinguished career in nursing, showcasing her dedication to her profession from an early age.

Professional Life and the Spedden Family

Joining the Spedden Household

In 1906, Elizabeth’s career took a significant turn when she entered the employ of the Frederic Oakley Spedden family in Morristown, New Jersey. Her primary role was to act as a nursemaid to their young son, Robert Douglas Spedden. The boy affectionately called her “Muddie Boons,” a childish mispronunciation of her name that stuck.

Dedication to her Charge

Elizabeth’s commitment to the Spedden family went beyond mere employment. She nursed young Robert through “a serious attack of illness,” demonstrating her medical skills and caring nature. This dedication endeared her to the Speddens, leading to her inclusion in family vacations and travels.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Preparation for the Trip

In early 1912, the Speddens decided to take a three-month vacation to Europe. As a gesture of appreciation for her care of Robert during his illness, they insisted that Elizabeth accompany them. This decision would lead to her involvement in one of history’s most famous maritime disasters.

Boarding the Titanic

Elizabeth boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg on April 10, 1912. She traveled as a first-class passenger alongside the Speddens and their maid, Helen Alice Wilson. Their joint ticket, number 16966, cost £134 10s, a substantial sum at the time. During the voyage, Elizabeth occupied cabin E40.

The Night of the Sinking

On the fateful night of April 14-15, 1912, Elizabeth and her party managed to escape the sinking ship aboard lifeboat 3. Her nursing skills proved invaluable during the rescue, as she tended to wounded, shocked, and frozen passengers on the journey to the rescue ship Carpathia.

Elizabeth’s Account of the Disaster

Upon reaching New York, Elizabeth gave a moving account of her experiences to the press:

“That terrible disaster afforded many evidences of splendid heroism. There may have been some act of cowardice, but none such came under my personal observation. On the other hand, I saw many men and women perform brave deeds, wholly oblivious to their own personal safety. It was a time for courage, and courage was not lacking, so far as I could see.”

Her words paint a vivid picture of the bravery and tragedy witnessed during that terrible night.

Life After the Titanic

Continued Travel and Career Changes

Despite her harrowing experience, Elizabeth’s love for travel remained undimmed. On August 7, 1913, she arrived in New York aboard the Imperator, demonstrating her resilience.

Her employment with the Spedden family seemed to end shortly after the Titanic disaster. Tragically, her former charge, Robert Douglas Spedden, died in a road traffic accident in August 1915.

World War I and Later Career

During World War I, Elizabeth’s nursing skills were put to use in a new capacity:

• Served as a member of the Red Cross
• Joined the executive committee of the New York County Chapter
• Led efforts in recruiting nurses for the war effort

In her later years, Elizabeth took charge of the industrial nursing department at J. H. Ladew Company on the Lincoln Highway. She also worked for Joseph Harvey Ladew (1865-1940), one of the world’s largest leather manufacturers, traveling globally with his family.

Health Decline and Final Years

Friends of Elizabeth noted that she never fully recovered from her Titanic experiences. Her health began to decline around that time, and she suffered from endocarditis for the last decade of her life.

Elizabeth Margaret Burns died on May 29, 1921, at the Young Women’s Nurse’s Club at 132 East 45th Street, Manhattan. She was just 50 (fifty) years old when a sudden attack of oedema of the lungs claimed her life. Following a mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, she was laid to rest in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Orange, New Jersey, close to her parents.

Elizabeth Margaret Burns’ life was one of service, adventure, and resilience. From her early days as a highly educated nurse to her survival of the Titanic disaster and her later work with the Red Cross, she left an indelible mark on those she cared for and worked alongside. Her story serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.