Frederic Kimber Seward

Who was Frederic Kimber Seward?

Frederic Kimber Seward was an American lawyer and Titanic survivor who played a significant role in honoring the rescuers of the ill-fated ship and in tracing the children of a fellow passenger who perished in the disaster. Born on March 23, 1878, in Wilmington, Delaware, Seward’s life was marked by his legal career, his harrowing experience on the Titanic, and his subsequent humanitarian efforts.

Early Life and Family

A Clergyman’s Son

Frederic Kimber Seward was born into a family with strong religious roots. His father, Samuel Swayze Seward (1838-1916), was a clergyman from Mendham, New Jersey, while his mother, Christina F. Kimber (1837-1906), hailed from Delaware. The couple married on October 19, 1864, and Frederic was one of their five children.

Siblings and Family Dynamics

Frederic grew up alongside four siblings:

John Perry (born 1868)
Lydia (born 1870)
Mary (born 1872)
Samuel Swayze (born 1876)

Following the death of his mother in 1906, Frederic’s father remarried to Rosalie Chesterman, a native of New York, born in 1856.

Education and Early Career

Columbia University and the Glee Club

Frederic Seward’s academic journey led him to Columbia University, where he graduated in 1899. During his college years, he was a prominent member of the Glee Club, showcasing his musical talents alongside his academic pursuits.

Legal Career Beginnings

After completing his education, Seward embarked on a career in law. He joined the prestigious law firm of Curtis, Mallet, Prevot & Colt, located at 30 Broad Street in New York City. This position would set the stage for his future professional accomplishments and his involvement in high-profile cases.

Personal Life and Family

Marriage and Children

On August 30, 1902, Frederic married Sara Flemington Day, who was born on October 26, 1878, and also hailed from Delaware. The couple went on to have three children:

Kimber (born 1903)
Katherine (born 1908)
Samuel Swayze (1910-1989)

New York Residences

The Seward family appeared in the 1910 census living in Manhattan. By 1912, they had settled at 542 West 112th Street, establishing themselves as part of New York City’s professional class.

The Titanic Journey

Why was Seward on the Titanic?

Mr. Seward had been on a two-month-long business trip in Europe when he boarded the Titanic at Southampton. As a first-class passenger, he held ticket number 113794, which cost £26 11s (equivalent to about £3,300 or $4,100 in 2023).

Companions and Connections

It is believed that Seward was traveling with John Montgomery Smart, though the exact nature of their relationship is unclear. This connection would later play a significant role in Seward’s post-Titanic activities.

The Night of the Sinking

On the fateful night of April 14, 1912, Seward was engaged in a card game in the first-class lounge with William Sloper and his church friend Dorothy Gibson when the Titanic struck the iceberg. In a twist of fate, Miss Gibson insisted that her two male companions join her in the first lifeboat to be launched, Lifeboat 7, likely saving their lives.

Survival and Immediate Aftermath

Rescue and Recognition

While returning to New York aboard the Carpathia, Seward demonstrated remarkable leadership and gratitude. He organized a group of fellow survivors, including notable figures such as:

Karl Behr
Margaret Brown (known as “The Unsinkable Molly Brown”)
Mauritz Björnström-Steffansson
Frederic Spedden
Isaac Frauenthal
George Harder

This group came together to honor the bravery of Captain Rostron and his crew. Their efforts resulted in the presentation of an inscribed silver cup to the Captain and medals to each of the 320 crew members of the Carpathia.

Post-Titanic Humanitarian Efforts

Searching for the Smart Children

Following the disaster, Frederic Seward embarked on a compassionate mission to locate the children of John Montgomery Smart, who had perished in the sinking. Seward’s law firm had represented the American Cold Storage and Shipping Company, of which Smart was President.

With limited information—knowing only that the children were somewhere in Europe—Seward leveraged his resources and connections. He employed various European newspapers as intermediaries in his search. His persistence paid off when he finally received word that a boy and a girl had been discovered in a school in Belgium.

Later Life and Legacy

Continued Transatlantic Travel

Despite his harrowing experience on the Titanic, Frederic Seward did not shy away from ocean travel. He crossed the Atlantic several times in the years following the disaster, demonstrating a resilience that was characteristic of many Titanic survivors.

Family Life and Final Years

The Seward family eventually moved to Queens, New York. Tragically, Frederic was widowed in 1932 when his wife Sara passed away. He lived for another eleven years, ultimately passing away in Queens on December 7, 1943, at the age of 65 (sixty-five).

Frederic Kimber Seward’s life was one of professional success, personal tragedy, and humanitarian effort. His actions in the aftermath of the Titanic disaster, particularly his efforts to honor the rescuers and locate the orphaned children of a fellow passenger, stand as a testament to his character and compassion in the face of one of history’s greatest maritime disasters.