Mrs Margaret Brown

Who was Margaret Brown?

Mrs Margaret Brown, born Margaret Tobin, was a 44 (forty-four) year-old American socialite and Titanic survivor who became known for her heroic actions during the disaster. Often referred to as “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” she was a first-class passenger who boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg, France.

Early Life and Background

From Humble Beginnings to Socialite Status

Margaret Tobin was born on July 18, 1867, in Hannibal, Missouri. She grew up in a modest family with Irish immigrant parents, John Tobin and Johanna Collins. As a teenager, Margaret worked at Garth’s Tobacco Company, stripping tobacco leaves.

At the age of 18, she moved to Leadville, Colorado, where she met and married James Joseph (“J.J.”) Brown in 1886. The couple had two children:

Lawrence Palmer (born 1887)
Catherine Ellen (“Helen”) (born 1889)

Rise to Prominence

J.J. Brown’s success in the mining industry catapulted the family into wealth and social prominence. In 1894, the Browns purchased a home in Denver and became active members of the city’s high society. Margaret’s involvement in various social causes included:

Founding member of the Denver Woman’s Club
Advocate for literacy, education, and women’s suffrage
Fundraiser for the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph’s Hospital
Worked with Judge Ben Lindsey to establish the first Juvenile Court in the country

Titanic Journey

Why was Margaret Brown on the Titanic?

Margaret boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg on April 10, 1912, after receiving news that her first grandchild was ill. She had been traveling in Europe with her daughter Helen, who decided to stay behind in London.

Titanic Voyage Details

Detail	Information
Class	1st Class
Ticket Number	17610
Cabin	Unknown
Fare	£27 5s

The Fateful Night

When the Titanic struck the iceberg on April 14, 1912, Margaret Brown’s actions were nothing short of heroic. She:

Helped load other passengers into lifeboats
Boarded lifeboat 6
Worked with other women to row and keep spirits up
Challenged the emotional and unstable crewman Robert Hichens

“After being brined, salted, and pickled in mid ocean I am now high and dry… I have had flowers, letters, telegrams-people until I am befuddled. They are petitioning Congress to give me a medal… If I must call a specialist to examine my head it is due to the title of Heroine of the Titanic.”

Post-Titanic Impact

How did Margaret Brown help Titanic survivors?

After being rescued by the Carpathia, Margaret:

Established the Survivor’s Committee
Was elected chair of the committee
Raised almost $10,000 for destitute survivors
Used her language skills in French, German, and Russian to assist survivors
Remained on Carpathia until all survivors had received assistance

Legacy and Later Life

Margaret Brown’s fame grew following the Titanic disaster, and she used her platform to advocate for:

Labour rights
Women’s rights
Education and literacy for children
Historic preservation

During World War I, she worked with the American Committee for Devastated France, helping to rebuild areas behind the front lines and assisting wounded soldiers.

In 1932, she was awarded the French Legion of Honor for her “overall good citizenship,” which included her work with Titanic victims and crew, the Juvenile Court of Denver, and her World War I relief efforts.

Margaret Tobin Brown passed away on October 26, 1932, at the age of 65 (sixty-five), in New York City. Despite the popular myths surrounding her life, the real Margaret Brown was a remarkable woman whose legacy continues to inspire Titanic enthusiasts and historians alike.