Léopold Weisz: Talented Sculptor and Titanic Victim

Léopold Weisz was a 37 (thirty-seven) year-old Hungarian sculptor who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born in Veszprém, Hungary around 1875, Weisz’s artistic journey led him from Europe to North America, where he sought to make his mark in the thriving art scene of early 20th century Canada.

Early Life and Artistic Education

What shaped Léopold Weisz’s early years?

Léopold Weisz was born into a Jewish family in Hungary. At the age of 19, he embarked on a journey that would shape his future, traveling to England to study at the prestigious Bromsgrove Guild of Art. It was during his time in England that Weisz’s life took another significant turn.

A Cross-Cultural Romance

While studying in England, Léopold met and fell in love with Mathilde Françoise Weisz, a native Belgian and Roman Catholic. Their marriage was a testament to the couple’s ability to bridge cultural and religious differences, a union that would face its ultimate test on the fateful night of April 14, 1912.

Professional Success in Canada

How did Weisz establish himself as an artist in North America?

In September 1911, Léopold Weisz crossed the Atlantic on the Lusitania, seeking new opportunities in Canada. His talent quickly gained recognition, and he secured several prestigious commissions:

Carved the frieze for the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts at 1379 Sherbrooke St. W.
Contracted by Edward Wren to carve stone shields representing Canada’s nine provinces for the Dominion Express Building at 201 St. Jacques St. W.

These works still stand today, a lasting testament to Weisz’s artistic legacy.

The Titanic Journey

What led Léopold Weisz to board the Titanic?

Encouraged by Montreal’s building boom in 1912, Weisz saw Quebec as “the place to make money from art.” He returned to England to fetch his wife, planning to establish a business in Canada with his partner, Mr. Wren. Originally booked on the Lusitania, the couple was transferred to the Titanic due to a coal strike.

Titanic Voyage Details:

Class: 2nd Class
Ticket Number: 228414
Fare: £26
Port of Embarkation: Southampton

A Fateful Decision

Before boarding, Léopold made a decision that would have significant consequences. He sewed his life savings—approximately $15,000 worth of gold—into the lining of his coat.

The Night of the Disaster

What were Léopold Weisz’s final hours like?

On the night of April 14, 1912, Léopold and his wife experienced the following sequence of events:

Léopold went for a walk on deck while Mathilde participated in an impromptu hymn sing in the Second Class Dining Room.
After Mathilde’s performance of “The Last Rose of Summer,” the couple reunited on deck.
Feeling cold in the -1°C temperature, they headed inside.
Mathilde expressed feeling “strange,” to which Léopold replied, “I guess we’re in the ice.”
At 11:40 p.m., upon returning to their cabin, they felt the fateful tremor of the Titanic striking the iceberg.

Fate and Aftermath

Tragically, Léopold Weisz did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. His body was later recovered, identified as Body No. 293. The description of his recovered remains and effects paints a poignant picture:

NO. 293. - MALE. - ESTIMATED AGE, 42. HAIR, DARK. FAIR MOUSTACHE. CLOTHING - Black coat, fur lined Astrachan collar; grey suit; “W. L” on shirt. EFFECTS - Key chain and keys; gun metal watch; cigarette case; two pocketbooks; bank book; gold watch; silver wrist watch; two cuff buttons; one gold ring; one pin; one gold chain; £56 in gold; one dollar and coins; £30 in notes; $26 in notes.

A Bittersweet Discovery

The recovery of Léopold’s body proved crucial for his widow, Mathilde. Initially at risk of deportation back to England as an indigent, she was saved from this fate when the gold sewn into Léopold’s coat was returned to her.

Legacy and Remembrance

How is Léopold Weisz remembered today?

Artistic Legacy: His sculptures in Montreal continue to be admired, serving as a lasting reminder of his talent.
Final Resting Place: Léopold’s body was shipped to Montreal and buried in Section One of the Baron de Hirsch Cemetery, though the exact location is unknown.
Family Support: His parents, Siegmund Weiss and his mother, received £50 from the Titanic relief fund.

In a final twist of fate, Mathilde Weisz later married Léopold’s business partner, Edward Lancelot Wren, perhaps finding solace in a connection to her late husband’s professional aspirations.

Léopold Weisz’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the dreams, talents, and lives cut short by the Titanic disaster. His artistic contributions to Montreal and his personal story of love, ambition, and tragedy continue to captivate those who study the victims of the Titanic.