Jacques Heath Futrelle

Who was Jacques Heath Futrelle?

Jacques Heath Futrelle was a prominent American writer and journalist, best known for his detective fiction and his tragic demise aboard the RMS Titanic. Born on April 9, 1875, in Pike County, Georgia, Futrelle rose to fame as the creator of the popular “Thinking Machine” series, featuring the brilliant detective Professor Augustus S. F. X. Van Dusen. His untimely death at the age of 37 (thirty-seven) on April 15, 1912, during the Titanic disaster, cut short a promising literary career and cemented his place in both literary and maritime history.

Early Life and Education

A Southern Upbringing

Jacques Heath Futrelle was born into a family with French Huguenot roots. His father, Wiley Harmon Heath Futrelle, was an educator who taught at an Atlanta college, while his mother was Linnie (Bevill) Futrelle. This familial background would play a significant role in shaping young Jacques’ intellectual pursuits.

Dual Education

Futrelle’s educational journey was a blend of formal schooling and home tutoring:

• Attended public schools in Pike County, Georgia
• Received additional education from his father in:
  • Basic academics
  • French language

This comprehensive education laid the foundation for Futrelle’s future career as a writer, equipping him with both local knowledge and a broader, more cosmopolitan perspective.

The Journey from Journalism to Fiction

How did Futrelle begin his writing career?

Futrelle’s writing career began in the world of journalism. At the tender age of 18 (eighteen), he secured a position with the Atlanta Journal, marking the beginning of a diverse and exciting career in writing. His journey in the world of words unfolded as follows:

1. Atlanta Journal (age 18)
2. Brief stint at the Boston Post
3. Return to the Atlanta Journal
   • Established the magazine’s first sports department
4. Move to the New York Herald
5. Transition to detective fiction writing

This progression from journalism to fiction writing was not uncommon for writers of his era, but Futrelle’s talent allowed him to excel in both fields.

The Thinking Machine: Futrelle’s Literary Legacy

Jacques Futrelle’s most significant contribution to literature was undoubtedly his creation of “The Thinking Machine” series. This collection of detective stories featured the eccentric and brilliant Professor Augustus S. F. X. Van Dusen, a character who would appear in over forty stories.

Key aspects of The Thinking Machine series:

• First appeared while Futrelle was working at the Boston American
• Showcased logical problem-solving and deductive reasoning
• Potentially influenced later detective fiction writers, including Agatha Christie

Futrelle’s best-known works include:

• “The Thinking Machine”
• “The Thinking Machine On The Case”
• “The Diamond Master”
• “The High Hand”

Personal Life and Family

A Literary Partnership

On July 17, 1895, Jacques married Lily May Peel in her parents’ home. This union would prove to be both personally fulfilling and professionally symbiotic. The couple had two children:

1. John
2. Virginia

Interestingly, May Futrelle was also a talented writer, authoring several novels and magazine articles. This shared passion for writing undoubtedly contributed to their strong partnership.

A Home in Scituate

As Futrelle’s success grew, he made a significant personal investment:

• Purchased a house in Scituate, Massachusetts
• Razed the existing structure
• Built a ‘Cape Cod’ style home for his family

This act of creating a home from the ground up reflects Futrelle’s commitment to his family and his desire to establish roots despite his globe-trotting career.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Why were the Futrelles on the Titanic?

In 1912, Jacques and May Futrelle embarked on a European trip that would tragically end with the Titanic disaster. Their journey included:

• Several weeks of travel in Europe
• Jacques writing numerous magazine articles during their trip
• A celebration of Futrelle’s 37th birthday in London the night before sailing

“If my husband had got drunk that night, he might not have sailed, and he might be alive today. But he never did drink much.” - May Futrelle

This poignant reflection from May Futrelle highlights the cruel twists of fate that led to their presence on the ill-fated ship.

The Titanic Experience

As first-class passengers, the Futrelles would have enjoyed the luxurious amenities of the Titanic during its brief voyage. However, their experience would soon turn from pleasure to tragedy.

The Night of the Sinking

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, as the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, Jacques Futrelle demonstrated remarkable courage:

• Helped his wife May into lifeboat (Collapsible) D
• Refused to board the lifeboat himself, insisting he would come later
• Was last seen smoking a cigarette with John Jacob Astor

May Futrelle’s last glimpse of her husband, calmly smoking on the deck of the doomed ship, became an enduring image of the tragedy, exemplifying the “women and children first” ethos that prevailed that night.

Legacy and Remembrance

Jacques Futrelle’s final work, “My Lady’s Garter,” was published posthumously in 1912. In a touching tribute, May Futrelle inscribed in the book:

“To the heroes of the Titanic, I dedicate this my husband’s book”

This dedication, placed under a photo of her late husband, serves as a poignant reminder of the personal stories behind the Titanic disaster. Futrelle’s legacy lives on not only through his literary works but also as a symbol of the talent and potential lost in that tragic maritime disaster.

Jacques Heath Futrelle’s life, cut short at its prime, remains a testament to the power of the written word and the enduring fascination with the Titanic’s story. His blend of detective fiction and real-life heroism continues to captivate