George Rosenshine

Who was Mr George Rosenshine?

Mr George Rosenshine was a 45 (forty-five) year-old German-born merchant and first-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on December 21, 1866, he was a successful businessman who co-founded Rosenhine Bros., an import company specializing in ostrich feathers. Tragically, George perished in the Titanic disaster on April 15, 1912, leaving behind a complex legacy and a tale of romance and deception.

Early Life and Immigration

A Journey Across the Atlantic

George Rosenshine’s story began in Germany, where he was born to Jewish parents, Albert Rosenshine (b. 1838) and Dora Landauer (b. 1835). At a tender age, young George embarked on a life-changing journey across the Atlantic. On October 11, 1866, just months before his first birthday, he arrived in New York aboard the Teutonia, accompanied by his mother and sister as third-class passengers.

Family Roots in America

After settling in New York and reuniting with his father, the Rosenshine family grew. George’s siblings included:

• Betsey (1863-1939, later Mrs. Max Frank)
• Albert (1868-1946)
• Max (1869-1925)
• Harry (1870-1874)

Tragically, George’s father passed away in 1873, leaving the family to navigate life in their new homeland without him.

The Rise of a Merchant

From Manhattan to Boston and Back

The 1880 census found the Rosenshine family still residing in Manhattan. As George and his brothers came of age, they displayed a keen business acumen. Together with Albert and Max, George founded Rosenhine Bros., an import company that would become known for its specialty in ostrich feathers.

The 1900 census listed the brothers as living in Boston, Massachusetts, where their business was flourishing. However, by the time of the 1910 census, they had returned to Manhattan, solidifying their presence in New York’s bustling business scene.

A Personal Loss

On April 24, 1911, George experienced another significant loss when his mother passed away. Little did he know that his own life would be cut short less than a year later.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

A Secret Romance

George Rosenshine boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg, France, on a return trip from a business excursion and holiday. However, he wasn’t traveling under his own name. In a move that speaks volumes about the social mores of the time, George assumed the alias “George Thorne” because he was accompanied by his mistress, Maybelle Thorne.

First-Class Accommodations

The couple’s first-class ticket, number PC 17585, came at the princely sum of £79, 4s (equivalent to approximately £9,000 or $11,500 in 2023). This hefty price tag reflected the luxurious accommodations and amenities available to first-class passengers on the Titanic.

Tragedy Strikes

When disaster struck on that fateful night of April 15, 1912, George Rosenshine’s life came to a tragic end. While his companion, Maybelle Thorne, was saved in Collapsible Lifeboat D, George perished in the icy waters of the North Atlantic.

The Aftermath

Recovery and Identification

George Rosenshine’s body was later recovered by the Mackay Bennett, the cable ship chartered to retrieve victims from the disaster site. He was listed as Body No. 16, and the description provided a poignant snapshot of his final moments:

NO. 16. - MALE. - ESTIMATED AGE, 50. CLOTHING- Dark grey overcoat; black suit; black gloves; underclothing; marked “G. R”. EFFECTS- Gold watch; memo book; bunch of keys; letter of credit; Guaranty Trust Company, New York, No. 9899; notes in pocket book; $430; U. S. A. Bond in memo book; affidavit of personal prop. For Mrs G. M. Thorne, N. Y.; letter of indication for above. PROBABLY FIRST CLASS ADDRESS IN POCKET BOOK GEO. ROSENSHINE., 57 & 59 East Eleventh St., N. Y.

Final Resting Place

George’s body was claimed by his brother and returned to New York. He was laid to rest in the family plot at Bayside Cemetery in Queens, New York, alongside his parents and siblings. Sadly, due to its location and vulnerability to crime, the cemetery and the Rosenshine plot have fallen into disrepair over the years.

Legacy and Legal Disputes

A Generous Estate

George Rosenshine’s estate was valued at over $160,000 (equivalent to approximately $4.5 million in 2023). The distribution of his wealth revealed both his business acumen and his philanthropic nature:

• The estate was administered to his brother Albert and the children of his married sister Betsey.
• Generous contributions were made to:
  • Mount Sinai Hospital
  • The Hebrew Benevolent and Orphan Asylum
  • The Montefiore Home

Contested Will

However, the distribution of George’s estate was not without controversy. His brother Max and sister contested the will, which was probated on May 14, 1912. They claimed that undue influence had been exerted over George and that the probated will was not his last. This legal dispute adds another layer of complexity to George Rosenshine’s already intriguing life story.

The End of an Era

George Rosenshine’s death marked the beginning of the end for his generation of the family. His siblings passed away in the following order:

• Max: February 25, 1925
• Betsy: June 10, 1939
• Albert: March 17, 1946

With Albert’s death in 1946, the last direct link to George Rosenshine and his Titanic experience was severed, leaving behind a tale of ambition, romance, and tragedy that continues to captivate Titanic enthusiasts and historians to this day.