Mrs Ruth Dodge

Who was Ruth Dodge?

Mrs Ruth Dodge was a 38 (thirty-eight) year-old American first-class passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born Ruth Vidaver on March 27, 1874, in New York, she led a fascinating life marked by multiple marriages, international travel, and a brush with one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.

Early Life and Family Background

What was Ruth Dodge’s family history?

Ruth Dodge came from a family with strong ties to religious leadership and European roots. Her parents were both immigrants from Warsaw, Poland:

• Father: Dr. Falk Vidaver (1844-1909), a Rabbi
• Mother: Anna Taubenhaus (1846-1914)

Ruth was one of seven children in the Vidaver family:

• Nathan (b. 1864)
• Dora (b. 1872)
• Maxwell (b. 1875)
• Miriam (b. 1877)
• Rose (1880-1936, later Mrs. Jack Loria)
• Minnie (b. 1883, later Kahn)

How did Ruth’s early years shape her life?

The Vidaver family was quite mobile during Ruth’s childhood, residing in:

1. New York
2. Massachusetts
3. Indiana
4. San Francisco, California

It was in San Francisco where her father served as Rabbi at the Congregation Sherith Israel from 1882 to 1893, providing a stable base for Ruth’s formative years.

A Life of Romance and Travel

How did Ruth’s personal life evolve before the Titanic?

Ruth Dodge’s personal life was marked by a series of marriages and international adventures:

1. In 1897, she traveled to Paris to cultivate her singing voice.
2. On September 3, 1898, she married P. Henri Fontaine, a wealthy diamond mine owner, in Paris.
3. Ruth and Fontaine had a daughter, Vida, born on March 9, 1899, in Paris.
4. On May 20, 1901, Ruth remarried in London to Thomas Henry Browne, a British Army officer.
5. By 1906, Ruth was living between London and San Francisco, popular in artistic and musical circles.
6. In early 1906, she became engaged to Dr. Washington Dodge, whom she married on April 12, 1906, in New York.
7. Ruth and Washington welcomed their son, Washington Dodge, on September 23, 1907.

The Titanic Journey

What brought the Dodge family to the Titanic?

In 1912, the Dodge family, including Ruth, Dr. Washington Dodge, and their son Washington Jr., traveled to France to seek treatment for Dr. Dodge’s blood disease. After the treatment, they booked passage on the RMS Titanic for their return journey to the United States.

Titanic Voyage Details:

• Class: First Class
• Cabin: A-34
• Ticket Number: 33638
• Fare: £81 17s 2d
• Port of Embarkation: Cherbourg

What happened to Ruth Dodge on the night of the Titanic’s sinking?

On the fateful night of April 14-15, 1912, as the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, the Dodge family’s lives were forever changed. Dr. Washington Dodge helped his wife Ruth and their son into Lifeboat 5, ensuring their safety. He then managed to escape himself in Lifeboat 13.

“On the night of the sinking, Washington helped his wife and son into lifeboat 5 before escaping in lifeboat 13.”

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic disaster impact Ruth’s later life?

Following their survival of the Titanic disaster, the Dodge family returned to San Francisco, where Dr. Washington Dodge resumed his role as city assessor. However, tragedy struck again in 1919 when Washington Dodge was found shot in their apartment building’s elevator, passing away on June 30, 1919.

After her husband’s death, Ruth relocated to New York City, living on Park Avenue with her son Washington Jr. and daughter Vida. She never remarried.

What were Ruth’s later years like?

Despite the tragedies she had faced, Ruth Dodge remained an active and adventurous woman in her later years:

• She continued to travel extensively, visiting:

  • Greece
  • Italy
  • Algiers
  • Portugal
  • Turkey
  • Spain
  • France

• Her 1921 passport described her as:

  • Height: 5'4"
  • Hair: Dark
  • Eyes: Blue
  • Nose: Aquiline
  • Face: Round
  • Forehead: Broad
  • Complexion: Fair

Ruth Dodge’s Legacy

Ruth Dodge passed away on July 27, 1950, at the age of 76 (seventy-six) in Manhattan, New York. She was laid to rest in Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, Westchester, New York.

Her daughter Vida, born from her first marriage, went on to have an eventful life of her own:

• First marriage in 1922 to Stewart Gregory Mackay (1899-1970)
• Last marriage in 1931 to Arthur C. Payne
• Passed away on October 16, 1990, in New York

Ruth Dodge’s life story serves as a testament to the resilience of Titanic survivors, encompassing a journey from the glittering world of early 20th-century high society to the tragic sinking of the Titanic and beyond. Her experiences offer a unique glimpse into the lives of those who lived through one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.