Harry Markland Molson

Who was Harry Markland Molson?

Harry Markland Molson was a prominent Canadian businessman, philanthropist, and socialite who tragically perished aboard the RMS Titanic in 1912. Born on September 9, 1856, in Montreal, Canada, Molson was a fourth-generation member of the influential Molson family, known for their successful brewing, banking, and steamship enterprises. At the time of his death, he was 55 (fifty-five) years old and had established himself as a respected figure in Montreal’s business and social circles.

Early Life and Family Legacy

The Molson Dynasty

Harry Markland Molson was born into a family that had already left an indelible mark on Canadian industry. His great-grandfather, John Molson, arrived in Canada in 1782 and quickly established himself as a pioneering entrepreneur. By 1817, just a decade after Robert Fulton’s groundbreaking steamship journey on the Hudson River, John Molson had an impressive fleet of five steamships navigating the St. Lawrence River.

Education and Inheritance

Molson’s education was befitting of his family’s status:

Received early education in Montreal
Studied in Germany and Paris from 1873 to 1877
Inherited his fortune unexpectedly from his uncle, John Henry Robinson Molson
Automatically became a board member of Molson’s Bank upon inheritance

This twist of fate catapulted Harry Markland Molson into the upper echelons of Canadian society, despite not being from the most influential branch of the family.

Business Ventures and Civic Duties

Molson’s professional life was marked by a diverse array of roles and responsibilities:

Director of the Canadian Transfer Co.
Worshipful Master of Quebec’s oldest Masonic Lodge, St-Paul’s lodge #374
Alderman for Montreal
Mayor of Dorval
Commodore of Royal St-Lawrence Yacht Club
President of Canadian SPCA
Governor of the Montreal General Hospital

Molson’s social standing was reflected in his living arrangements and club memberships:

Primary residence: 2 Edgehill Ave, Montreal
Summer residence: Westmount, Dorval (near Montreal)

His club memberships included:

Mount Royal, Montreal
St-James, Montreal
Royal Montreal Golf
Montreal Jockey
Montreal Hunt Club
Montreal Junior
Athenaeum, London, England

Known for his hedonistic lifestyle, friends affectionately dubbed him “Merry Larkwand Molson,” hinting at his playboy reputation.

Maritime Adventures and Misadventures

A History of Nautical Escapes

Remarkably, Molson had survived two previous maritime accidents before his fateful journey on the Titanic:

1899: Swam to safety after the sinking of the Scotsman in the Gulf of St. Lawrence
1904: Survived the collision of the Canada with a collier near Sorel in the St. Lawrence River

These experiences perhaps contributed to his confidence in facing maritime dangers.

The Alcyone: Molson’s Luxury Yacht

Molson’s passion for sailing was epitomized by his ownership of the Alcyone:

75-foot luxury yacht
40 tonnes in weight
Equipped with 26 electric lights
Used for entertaining guests, including his cousin Alexander Morris and Alexander’s wife, Florence Nightingale Morris

Personal Life and Relationships

A Scandalous Liaison

The Molson family biographer, Shirley Woods, revealed a scandalous aspect of Harry’s personal life:

“Harry and the Morrises might best be described as a menage a trois; Alexander did not mind sharing his wife with his cousin. Harry, Alexander and Florence’s discreet liaison was common knowledge in Montreal and continued until Harry died.”

This unconventional arrangement was an open secret in Montreal society.

The Titanic Voyage

Fateful Decision

Molson’s presence on the Titanic was a result of a last-minute change of plans:

Originally booked to return to Canada on the Tunisian in late March 1912
Persuaded by Major Arthur Peuchen, a business associate, to extend his stay and sail on the Titanic

Titanic Accommodations

Molson’s ticket details:

Cabin: C-30
Ticket number: 113787
Fare paid: £30 10s (equivalent to approximately £3,500 in 2023)

Final Moments and Legacy

The Last Sighting

Molson was last seen aboard the Titanic in a state of desperate optimism:

Removing his shoes
Planning to swim to a ship whose lights he believed he saw off the port bow

Memorial and Remembrance

Molson’s body was never recovered, but his memory lives on:

A memorial stands in Montreal’s Mount Royal Cemetery
The epitaph, taken from Psalm 77:19, reads: “Thy Way is in the Sea, and Thy path in the great waters, and Thy footsteps are not known.”

Harry Markland Molson’s life was a tapestry of business acumen, social prestige, and personal intrigue. His untimely death aboard the Titanic marked the end of a colorful life that embodied the spirit of Canada’s elite at the turn of the 20th century. From his unexpected inheritance to his final moments of bravery, Molson’s story continues to captivate those interested in the Titanic’s history and the lives of its ill-fated passengers.