William Henry Harrison
Mr William Henry Harrison
Who was William Henry Harrison?
William Henry Harrison was a 45 (forty-five) year-old English first-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic. Born in 1866, he served as the private secretary to Joseph Bruce Ismay, the chairman of the White Star Line. Harrison’s journey on the Titanic ended tragically, as he did not survive the ship’s sinking on April 15, 1912.
Early Life and Background
What were William Harrison’s origins?
William Henry Harrison was born in the closing months of 1866 in Sudbury, Derbyshire, England. He was baptized on December 9, 1866, in Sudbury Parish Church. Interestingly, Harrison was born out of wedlock to Caroline Harrison, a native of Ledbury, Derbyshire.
Family and Upbringing
- Grandparents: Philip Harrison (agricultural laborer) and Hannah Land
- Mother: Caroline Harrison (b. 1850)
- Uncle: Albert Harrison (b. 1853)
William was raised by his grandparents in Grove, Sudbury, as evidenced by the 1871 and 1881 census records. The fate of his mother remains unknown.
Marriage and Family Life
On December 26, 1889, William married Ann Elizabeth Riley at St Chad’s Church in Derby, Derbyshire. Ann, born in 1868, was the daughter of Thomas and Ellen Riley. The couple had two children:
- Ellen (b. 1891, later Mrs Harold Townend)
- Thomas Leslie (b. 1899)
Professional Career
William Harrison’s career progression can be traced through census records:
| Year | Residence | Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| 1891 | 8 Guelph Street, West Derby, Lancashire | Clerk and bookkeeper |
| 1901 | 17 Sandiways Road, Wallasey, Cheshire | Clerk at a steamship office (presumably White Star) |
| 1911 | Sudbury on Grove Road, Wallasey | Private secretary to Joseph Bruce Ismay |
The Titanic Journey
How did William Harrison come to be on the Titanic?
As the private secretary to Joseph Bruce Ismay, William Harrison boarded the Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912. He was accompanied by Ismay and Ismay’s valet, Richard Fry. Harrison occupied cabin B94 and held ticket number 112059.
Fate During the Disaster
Tragically, William Harrison did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. His body was later recovered by the Mackay Bennett, listed as body number 110.
What were the details of Harrison’s recovery?
The recovery report provided the following information:
NO.110 - MALE - ESTIMATED AGE, 40 - HAIR AND MOUSTACHE, FAIR CLOTHING? Green overcoat; dark suit; white shirt, blue stripe; purple socks. EFFECTS? fountain pen; cigarette holder; three memo books; pair cuff links; gold stud; bill book; pipe; keys; silver knife; £10 in gold; £1.18s.8d in bag; and £10 in notes. FIRST CLASS - NAME - W.H.HARRISON
William Harrison’s remains were laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on May 1, 1912.
Legacy and Family Aftermath
How did Harrison’s death impact his family?
Following William’s death, his estate, valued at £840, 11s, 6d, was administered to his widow Ann on June 7, 1912. Ann Harrison never remarried and eventually settled in London. She passed away in Pinner, Middlesex, on February 2, 1948.
An Enduring Connection to Titanic History
William Henry Harrison’s role as secretary to Joseph Bruce Ismay connects him intimately to one of the most prominent figures in the Titanic’s history. His tragic fate serves as a poignant reminder of the disaster’s far-reaching impact, affecting not only the ship’s passengers but also those closely associated with its management and operations.
Andre Nolan is an avid Titanic historian and the creator of TitanicUniverse.com, a website dedicated to uncovering the untold stories and forgotten details behind the famous ocean liner.
With a lifelong passion for maritime history, Andre has spent over a decade researching the Titanic, from the personal lives of passengers and crew to the engineering marvels that made the ship an icon of its era.
When he's not immersed in Titanic lore, Andre enjoys connecting with fellow maritime history lovers, exploring historic ships and shipwrecks.