Harris Cornblatt - Titanic Universe

Who was Harris Cornblatt?

Harris Cornblatt, also known as “Harry Corn,” was a Polish-Jewish upholsterer and Titanic passenger who tragically lost his life in the infamous maritime disaster of 1912. Born around 1882 in Warsaw, Cornblatt was a 30 (thirty) year-old married man seeking better opportunities in America when he boarded the ill-fated ship.

Early Life and Immigration

A Jewish Family in Warsaw

Harris Cornblatt was born in Warsaw, then part of the Russian Empire’s Congress Poland, around 1882. Like many Jewish families of the time, the Cornblatts faced challenging circumstances in Eastern Europe.

Journey to England

In 1904, Harris married Ritka (Rebecca) Gershencorn, born on February 21, 1883. Shortly after their marriage, the couple made a life-changing decision to leave Warsaw. Why did they choose to emigrate?

The Cornblatts, like many Jewish families, likely fled the rising tide of antisemitism and the threat of pogroms that plagued Eastern Europe at the turn of the century.

They settled in London’s East End, joining a vibrant community of Jewish immigrants seeking safety and new opportunities.

Family Life in London

A Growing Family

Harris and Rebecca started their family in their new London home. They had three children:

Morris (born 1906, died in infancy)
Fanny “Fay” (born July 19, 1907)
Yetta “Stella” (born February 19, 1909)

Life in Bethnal Green

The 1911 census provides a snapshot of the Cornblatt family’s life in London:

Address	Occupation	Family Members
9 Ebor Street, Church Street, Bethnal Green, Shoreditch	Upholsterer’s labourer	Harris, Rebecca, Fanny, Yetta

The Decision to Seek Opportunity in America

An Upholsterer’s Dream

Harris Cornblatt worked hard to establish his own upholstery business in London. However, the promise of greater prosperity in America beckoned. What factors influenced his decision to emigrate?

Rebecca’s parents were already living in America
The family hoped for better economic prospects
There was a desire to reunite with extended family

A Fateful Change of Plans

Originally, the entire Cornblatt family intended to make the journey to America together. However, fate intervened:

One of the children fell ill
The family decided Harris would travel alone
His wife and children would follow once circumstances improved

The Titanic Journey

Embarking on a Dream

On April 10, 1912, Harris Cornblatt boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton, carrying with him the hopes and dreams of his family. His journey details were as follows:

Class: 3rd Class
Ticket Number: SOTON/OQ 392090
Ticket Cost: £8 1s (8 pounds, 1 shilling)
Destination: Likely New York

The Tragic Outcome

Sadly, Harris Cornblatt did not survive the Titanic’s sinking on April 15, 1912. His body, if recovered, was never identified, leaving his family to grapple with uncertainty and grief.

Legacy and Family’s Future

Rebecca’s Life After the Tragedy

Following the loss of her husband, Rebecca Cornblatt made the difficult decision to remain in London with her children. She never fulfilled the dream of moving to America. Rebecca’s later years were spent at 55 Brune House, Toynbee Street, East London, where she passed away on May 5, 1959.

A Poignant Memorial

Rebecca’s gravestone in East Ham Jewish Cemetery bears a touching tribute to her lost husband:

IN LOVING MEMORY OF REBECCA CORNBLATT DIED 5th MAY 1959 AGED 74 DEEPLY MOURNED BY HER SORROWING DAUGHTERS FAY AND STELLA, SON-IN-LAW ALEC, GRANDCHILDREN, RELATIVES AND FRIENDS RELICT OF HARRIS CORNBLATT LOST AT SEA IN THE “TITANIC” DISASTER 1912 MAY HER DEAR SOUL REST IN PEACE

The Cornblatt Daughters

Both of Harris’s surviving daughters went on to have families of their own:

Stella Cornblatt
- Married Alec A. Rothfeder (aka Redfern) in 1941
- Had two children: Stephen (b. 1944) and Phyllis (b. 1949)
- Lived in London until her death in 1981
Fanny “Fay” Cornblatt
- Married Phillip Hearne (1895-1948)
- Had three children: Harold (b. 1930), Sidney (b. 1935), and Patricia (b. 1942)
- Lived near Petticoat Lane market in London’s East End
- Passed away in Enfield, Middlesex in May 1994

The Enduring Impact of a Life Cut Short

Harris Cornblatt’s tragic story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Titanic disaster. His journey, driven by the hope for a better life, represents the dreams of countless immigrants who risked everything for a chance at prosperity. Though his life was cut short, Harris’s legacy lives on through his descendants, who continued to build lives in the country he had hoped to call home.