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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Emily Ryerson
| name = Emily Ryerson
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| death_date = {{Death date and age|1939|12|28|1863|8|10}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1939|12|28|1863|8|10}}
| death_place = [[Cooperstown]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.
| death_place = [[Cooperstown]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.
| spouse = Arthur Larned Ryerson (his death)
| spouse = Arthur Larned Ryerson (1889 - his death 1912), William Forsythe Sherfesee (1927 - her death 1939)
| children = Suzette Ryerson<br>Arthur Ryerson<br>Emily Ryerson<br>Ellen Ryerson<br>Jack Ryerson
| years_active =
| years_active =
| occupation =
| occupation =
}}
}}


'''Emily Maria Borie Ryerson''' (August 10, 1863 &ndash; December 28, 1939, [[Philadelphia]]) was an American first-class passenger who survived the [[Sinking of the RMS Titanic|sinking]] of {{RMS|Titanic}} on April 15, 1912.
'''Emily Maria Borie Ryerson''' (August 10, 1863 &ndash; December 28, 1939) was an American first-class passenger who survived the [[Sinking of the RMS Titanic|sinking]] of {{RMS|Titanic}} on April 15, 1912.


== Early life and family==
== Early life and family==
Emily married Arthur Larned Ryerson on January 31, 1889. Born on 12 January 1851 in [[Chicago]], Arthur was the son of Joseph Turner Ryerson, founder of the iron and steel company [[Joseph T. Ryerson & Co.]] His mother was Ellen Griffin Larned. Emily and Arthur had five children: Susan "Suzette" Parker Ryerson (August 3, 1890), Arthur Larned Ryerson, Jr. (1891-1912), Emily Borie Ryerson (October 8, 1893 – June 25, 1960), Ellen Ashfordbye Ryerson (1895-1973), and John Borie "Jack" Ryerson (December 16, 1898 - January 21, 1986).<ref name="CouldNot">{{cite news |last1=Whited |first1=Charled |title=Lest we forget what the last boy off the Titanic could not |agency=Hearst |publisher=Houston Chronicle |date=3 August 1986|id={{ProQuest|295200718}} }}</ref> Arthur, who later served as president of his father's firm, studied law and graduated from [[Yale University|Yale]] in 1871. He went on to practice law and became a partner in the [[law firm]] of Isham, Lincoln & Ryerson in Chicago. He also served as the president of [[St. Luke's Hospital (Chicago, Illinois)|St. Luke's Hospital]].


The family moved from Chicago to [[Otsego Lake (New York)|Otsego Lake]], [[New York (state)|New York]] due to Arthur's health.
She married Arthur Larned Ryerson on January 31, 1889. They had five children: Susan "Suzette" Parker Ryerson (August 3, 1890), Arthur Larned Ryerson, Jr. (1891-1912), Emily Borie Ryerson (October 8, 1893), Ellen Ashfordbye Ryerson (1895-1973), and John Borie "Jack" Ryerson (December 16, 1898 - January 21, 1986).<ref name="CouldNot">{{cite news |last1=Whited |first1=Charled |title=Lest we forget what the last boy off the Titanic could not |url=https://search.proquest.com/news/docview/295200718/16584C6783B74961PQ/34?accountid=10226 |accessdate=28 November 2018 |agency=Hearst |publisher=Houston Chronicle |date=3 August 1986}}</ref>


Daugher Emily Borie Ryerson married George Hyde Clark of [[Hyde Hall]].<ref name="MarriedTrib">{{cite news |title=George Hyde Clarke and Miss Emily Ryerson, Titanic Survivor, To Be Married |url=https://search.proquest.com/news/docview/575474209/fulltextPDF/16584C6783B74961PQ/16?accountid=10226 |accessdate=28 November 2018 |publisher=[[New-York Tribune]] |date=5 September 2015}}</ref>. The couple, who lived on a large estate near [[Cooperstown]], New York, had seven children before divorcing.<ref name="RenoDivorce">{{cite news |title=MRS. EMILY CLARKE, OF CHICAGO FAMILY, ASKS RENO DIVORCE |url=https://search.proquest.com/news/docview/181322534/fulltextPDF/16584C6783B74961PQ/25?accountid=10226 |accessdate=28 November 2018 |publisher=ChicagoTribune |date=3 June 1932}}</ref>
Daughter Emily Borie Ryerson married George Hyde Clarke of [[Hyde Hall]].<ref name="MarriedTrib">{{cite news |title=George Hyde Clarke and Miss Emily Ryerson, Titanic Survivor, To Be Married |publisher=[[New-York Tribune]] |date=5 September 2015|id={{ProQuest|575474209}} }}</ref> They, who lived on a large estate near [[Cooperstown, New York]], had seven children before divorcing.<ref name="RenoDivorce">{{cite news |title=MRS. EMILY CLARKE, OF CHICAGO FAMILY, ASKS RENO DIVORCE |publisher=ChicagoTribune |date=3 June 1932|id={{ProQuest|181322534}} }}</ref>


== RMS ''Titanic'' ==
== RMS ''Titanic'' ==
[[File:RMS Titanic 3.jpg|thumb|right|{{RMS|Titanic}} departing [[Southampton]] on 10 April 1912.]]
Ryerson, her husband Arthur, and three of their children, Suzette, Emily, and John, boarded the {{RMS|Titanic}} as first-class passengers in [[Cherbourg]], [[France]], after learning of the death of their son Jr., an undergraduate at [[Yale]], who had been killed in an automobile crash in the United States. With the family were their maid, Victorine Chaudanson, and John's governess, Grace Scott Bowen.
In the spring of 1912, Arthur took Ryerson, their youngest son and two of their daughters on a vacation to [[France]] and stayed in a house in [[Versailles, Yvelines|Versailles]]. Their holiday was however cut short when the family received the news that their oldest son and [[Yale University|Yale]] student Arthur Larned Ryerson Jr had died in a car accident on 8 April 1912 in [[Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania]].<ref>(April 9, 1912) [https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/two-yale-students-killed/docview/97353026/se-2?accountid=196403 "Two Yale Students Killed: Hoffman and Ryerson Thrown from Auto Near Philadelphia"], ''The New York Times''. Retrieved July 23, 2023.</ref> Arthur immediately ended the vacation and booked [[First-class facilities of the Titanic|first-class passage]] for himself, Ryerson, and three of their children&mdash;Suzette, Emily, and John&mdash;on the first America bound steamer he could find. He booked ticket number 17608 at the cost of £262 7s 6d on the {{RMS|Titanic}}, which was to set out on its maiden voyage. They boarded ''Titanic'' in [[Cherbourg]], [[France]] on 10 April 1912. Ryerson also brought her maid Victorine Chaudanson and her youngest son's governess Grace Scott Bowen on board. The group occupied first class cabins B57, B63 and B66.


On the afternoon of April 14, 1912, fellow passenger [[Marian Thayer|Marian Longstreth Thayer]] invited Ryerson for a walk. It was the first time she had been on deck in public. After nearly an hour they settled into the deck chairs outside the aft staircase of 'A' deck to watch the sunset. [[White Star Line|White Star]] official, [[Bruce Ismay]], joined them and told them about the ice warning from the {{RMS|Baltic|1903|2}}.
On the afternoon of April 14, 1912, fellow passenger [[Marian Thayer|Marian Longstreth Thayer]] invited Ryerson for a walk. It was the first time she had been on the [[Deck (ship)|boat deck]] in public. After nearly an hour they settled into deck chairs outside the aft staircase of 'A' deck to watch the sunset. [[White Star Line|White Star]] official, [[J. Bruce Ismay]], joined them and told them about the ice warning from the {{RMS|Baltic|1903|2}}. At 11:40 pm, ''Titanic'' struck an [[iceberg]] and [[Sinking of the Titanic|began to sink]]. Ryerson was awake when the ship hit the iceberg. She woke Arthur, Suzette, Emily, John, Grace, and Victorine.


"[The maid's] door was locked and I had some difficulty in waking her. By this time my husband was fully dressed, and we could hear the noise of feet tramping on the deck overhead. He was quite calm and cheerful and helped me put the lifebelts on the children and on my maid. I was paralyzed with fear of not all getting on deck together in time, as there were seven of us. I would not let my younger daughter, [Emily], dress, but she only put on a fur coat, as I did over her nightgown."<ref name=Ryerson-affidavit>{{cite web|title=Affidavit of Emily Ryerson|url=http://www.titanicinquiry.org/USInq/AmInq16Ryerson01.php|work=[[United States Senate inquiry into the sinking of the RMS Titanic]] : Day 16|publisher=Titanic Inquiry Project|access-date=4 March 2014}}</ref>
Ryerson was awake when the ''Titanic'' hit an iceberg on April 14, 1912, 11:40 pm. She woke her husband, children, the governess and the maid.


Ryerson and her family went to 'A' deck, where the [[Lifeboats of the RMS Titanic|lifeboats]] were being prepared to be launched, and stood there for "fully half an hour". She, Suzette, Emily, Victorine and Grace stepped into [[Lifeboats of the RMS Titanic#Boat 4 (port)|Lifeboat 4]] at 1:50 am. John was initially not allowed in; however, Arthur stepped forward and told [[Second mate|Second Officer]] [[Charles Lightoller]] (who was loading the boat): "Of course, that boy goes with his mother. He is only 13." After this, John was allowed to join his family but Arthur had to stay behind.<ref name=Ryerson-affidavit/>
"[The maid's] door was locked and I had some difficulty in waking her. By this time my husband was fully dressed, and we could hear the noise of feet tramping on the deck overhead. He was quite calm and cheerful and helped me put the lifebelts on the children and on my maid. I was paralyzed with fear of not all getting on deck together in time, as there were seven of us. I would not let my younger daughter [Emily] dress, but she only put on a fur coat, as I did over her nightgown."<ref name=Ryerson-affidavit>{{cite web|title=Affidavit of Emily Ryerson|url=http://www.titanicinquiry.org/USInq/AmInq16Ryerson01.php|work=[[United States Senate inquiry into the sinking of the RMS Titanic]] : Day 16|publisher=Titanic Inquiry Project|accessdate=4 March 2014}}</ref>


[[File:Titanic sinking, painting by Willy Stöwer.jpg|thumb|right|''Titanic'' [[Sinking of the Titanic|sinking]] on 15 April 1912.]]
Ryerson and her family went to 'A' deck and stood there for "fully half an hour". Ryerson, her two daughters, maid and John's governess stepped into [[Lifeboats of the RMS Titanic#Boat 4 (port)|Lifeboat 4]]. John was initially not allowed in; however, Arthur stepped forward and said, "Of course, that boy goes with his mother. He is only 13."<ref name=Ryerson-affidavit/>
After his family had safely departed in lifeboat 4, Arthur headed for the [[First-class facilities of the Titanic#Smoking room|First-Class smoking room]]. He was seen there by [[Archibald Gracie IV]] at 2:00 am playing [[Playing card|cards]] with [[Clarence Moore (businessman)|Clarence Moore]], Major [[Archibald Butt]] and [[Francis Davis Millet|Francis Millet]] at their usual table. After the men finished their game, they all shook hands and departed back to the boat deck. The ''Titanic'' sank by 2:20 am and Arthur perished in the icy waters that night along with 1,500 other people, including 117 other first-class male passengers.<ref name=Otsego(1997)>{{cite news|last=Hallenbeck|first=Brent|title=Otsego Man Slips Away From Family|url=http://www.jgbproperties.com/ryerson/images/Ryerson-story-on-Titanic.pdf|newspaper=The Daily Star|date=28 April 1997|location=Otsego, New York}}</ref> His body, if recovered, was never identified.<ref name=otsego>{{cite news|url=http://www.jgbproperties.com/ryerson/images/Ryerson-story-on-Titanic.pdf|work=[[The Daily Star (Oneonta)]]|date= April 28, 1997|title=Otsego Man Slips Away From Family}}</ref> A memorial was set up alongside the graves of his wife and children in [[Lakewood Cemetery]] in Cooperstown, New York.<ref name=QZR>{{cite web |url=https://www.glessnerhouse.org/story-of-a-house/tag/Arthur+Ryerson |title=RMS Titanic - Chicago Connections |publisher=glessnerhouse.org |date=5 April 2018 |access-date=20 July 2023}}</ref>


While in the lifeboat, Ryerson witnessed the ship break in half. They were rescued by {{RMS|Carpathia}} at about 8&nbsp;am on the 15th. Ryerson, her three children, maid, and governess survived, but her husband perished. His body, if recovered, was never identified.<ref name=otsego>{{cite news|url=http://www.jgbproperties.com/ryerson/images/Ryerson-story-on-Titanic.pdf|work=[[The Daily Star (Oneonta)]]|date= April 28, 1997|title=Otsego Man Slips Away From Family}}</ref>
While in the lifeboat, Ryerson witnessed the ship break in half. They were rescued by {{RMS|Carpathia}} at about 8:00&nbsp;am on the 15th. Ryerson, Suzette, Emily, John, Victorine, and Grace were rescued by ''Carpathia'' by 8 am, and taken to [[New York City]] on 18 April 1912.


==Later life==
==Later life==
Ryerson was bestowed a [[Croix de Guerre]] medal for her wartime charity work.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Brewster |first=Hugh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yM5PwnLQLOAC&dq=Croix+de+Guerre+Emily+Ryerson&pg=PT350 |title=Gilded Lives, Fatal Voyage: The Titanic's First-Class Passengers and Their World |date=2012-03-27 |publisher=Crown |isbn=978-0-307-98471-5 |language=en}}</ref>


Ryerson designed and built the Ryerson mansion at 2700 Lakeview Ave in [[Lincoln Park, Chicago]], in 1917.<ref name="RodkinAgain">{{cite news |last1=Rodkin |first1=Dennis |title=Titanic survivor's mansion will become residential once again |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170411/CRED0701/170419982/titanic-survivor-s-mansion-will-become-residential-once-again |access-date=28 November 2018 |publisher=Crain's Chicago Business |date=11 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chicago |first=Classic |date=2022-05-21 |title=Adler After the Titanic {{!}} Classic Chicago Magazine |url=https://classicchicagomagazine.com/adler-after-the-titanic/ |access-date=2023-07-23 |website=classicchicagomagazine.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-30 |title=Open House Tours for the Renovated Emily Ryerson Mansion in May - PRESERVATION CHICAGO |url=https://www.preservationchicago.org/open-house-tours-for-the-renovated-emily-ryerson-mansion-in-may/ |access-date=2023-07-23 |language=en-US}}</ref>
During and after the First World War, Ryerson served in France as head of the American Fund for French Wounded and the
Society for Fatherless Children in France. She received the [[Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (France)|Croix de Guerre]] from the French Government, and accompanied President Hoover on his good-will tour to South America.


In the 1920s while traveling through China, Ryerson met [[William Forsythe Sherfesee]], who was the Forestry Advisor to the Chinese Government and later was appointed Advisor to the Ministry of Finance. He was also a graduate of Yale University and was 18 years her junior. He was the son of Heinrich "Louis" Sherfesee and Annie Griffith Sherfesee.
Ryerson built the Ryerson mansion at 2700 Lakeview Ave. in Lincoln Park, Chicago.<ref name="RodkinAgain">{{cite news |last1=Rodkin |first1=Dennis |title=Titanic survivor's mansion will become residential once again |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170411/CRED0701/170419982/titanic-survivor-s-mansion-will-become-residential-once-again |accessdate=28 November 2018 |publisher=Crain's Chicago Business |date=11 April 2017}}</ref>


The accounts of Forsythe trying to get from Peking to Chicago in the early weeks of December 1927 made the newspapers worldwide. In the attempt to get him to Chicago during a blizzard, he traveled by boat, train, then finally by private plane, which Ryerson had sent to bring him to Chicago. He did not arrive on time, and they held the wedding December 9, 1927. They went to Italy and Persia for their [[honeymoon]]. They traveled throughout their marriage, and settled in [[Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat|Saint- Jean-Cap-Ferrat]] on the French Riviera where they built Villa Bontoc. Their next door neighbor was the noted author and playwright, [[Somerset Maugham]].<ref name="AtStPaul">{{cite news |title=BRIDEGROOM-TO-BE SIX HOURS LATE DESPITE AIRPLANE FLIGHT: Steel Maker's Wealthy Widow, Prospective Bride, Charters Craft to Fly From Chicago to Get Fiance, Arriving From China, at St Paul |publisher=Boston Daily Globe |date=10 December 1927|id={{ProQuest|251049636}} }}</ref>
In the 1920s while traveling through China, Ryerson met William Forsythe Sherfesee, who was the Forestry Advisor to the Chinese Government and later was appointed Advisor to the Ministry of Finance. He was also a graduate of [[Yale University]] and was 18 years her junior. Forsythe was the son of Heinrich "Louis" Sherfesee and Annie Griffith Sherfesee.


In December 1939 while in Hawaii, Ryerson fell and broke her hip, but insisted on continuing the trip. In Uruguay she suffered a fatal heart attack and died on December 28, 1939. She was buried in Lakewood Cemetery in Cooperstown, New York.<ref name=otsego/>
The accounts of Forsythe trying to get from Peking to Chicago in the early weeks of December 1927 made the newspapers worldwide. In the attempt to get him to Chicago during a blizzard, he traveled by boat, train, then finally by private plane, which Ryerson had sent to bring him to Chicago. He did not arrive on time, and they held the wedding December 9, 1927. They went to Italy and Persia for their [[honeymoon]]. They traveled throughout their marriage, and settled in [[Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat|Saint- Jean-Cap-Ferrat]] on the French Riviera where they built Villa Bontoc. Their next door neighbor was the noted author and playwright, [[Somerset Maugham]].<ref name="AtStPaul">{{cite news |title=BRIDEGROOM-TO-BE SIX HOURS LATE DESPITE AIRPLANE FLIGHT: Steel Maker's Wealthy Widow, Prospective Bride, Charters Craft to Fly From Chicago to Get Fiance, Arriving From China, at St Paul |url=https://search.proquest.com/news/docview/251049636/fulltextPDF/16584C6783B74961PQ/21?accountid=10226 |accessdate=28 November 2018 |publisher=Boston Daily Globe |date=10 December 1927}}</ref>


== Media portrayals of Arthur ==
In December 1939 while in Hawaii, Ryerson fell and broke her hip but insisted on continuing the trip. In Uruguay she suffered a fatal heart attack and died on December 28, 1939. She was buried in Lakewood Cemetery in [[Cooperstown, New York]].<ref name=otsego/>
[[File:First Class Smoking Room Olympic.jpg|thumb|right|The First-Class Smoking Room (pictured here on ''[[RMS Olympic|Olympic]]''), where Arthur was last seen.]]

=== A Night to Remember (1958) ===
Arthur was portrayed by [[Stuart Nicholl]] in the 1958 movie [[A Night to Remember (1958 film)|''A Night to Remember'']]. His altercation with Second Officer Lightoller about his son not being allowed in the lifeboat was featured in the film.<ref name=UUH>{{cite web |url=https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/titanic-victim/arthur-ryerson.html |title=Arthur Larned Ryerson |publisher=encyclopedia-titanica.org |date=21 December 2016 |access-date=20 July 2023}}</ref>

=== Titanic (1997) ===
In the 1997 [[James Cameron]] movie [[Titanic (1997 film)|''Titanic'']], Arthur can be spotted as a background character and is mentioned by name after Spicer Lovejoy ([[David Warner (actor)|David Warner]]) discovers that Jack Dawson ([[Leonardo DiCaprio]]) had stolen Arthur's jacket earlier in the movie in order to disguise himself.<ref name=UUH/>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ryerson, Emily}}


{{RMS Titanic}}
{{RMS Titanic}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Ryerson, Emily}}
[[Category:1863 births]]
[[Category:1863 births]]
[[Category:1939 deaths]]
[[Category:1939 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Philadelphia]]
[[Category:People from Philadelphia]]
[[Category:RMS Titanic survivors]]
[[Category:RMS Titanic survivors]]
[[Category:Burials in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Female recipients of the Croix de Guerre (France)]]
[[Category:Female recipients of the Croix de Guerre (France)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 (France)]]
[[Category:American recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 (France)]]
[[Category:20th-century American artists]]
[[Category:20th-century American women artists]]

Latest revision as of 00:01, 10 November 2024

Emily Ryerson
Born
Emily Maria Borie

(1863-08-10)August 10, 1863
DiedDecember 28, 1939(1939-12-28) (aged 76)
Spouse(s)Arthur Larned Ryerson (1889 - his death 1912), William Forsythe Sherfesee (1927 - her death 1939)
ChildrenSuzette Ryerson
Arthur Ryerson
Emily Ryerson
Ellen Ryerson
Jack Ryerson

Emily Maria Borie Ryerson (August 10, 1863 – December 28, 1939) was an American first-class passenger who survived the sinking of RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912.

Early life and family

[edit]

Emily married Arthur Larned Ryerson on January 31, 1889. Born on 12 January 1851 in Chicago, Arthur was the son of Joseph Turner Ryerson, founder of the iron and steel company Joseph T. Ryerson & Co. His mother was Ellen Griffin Larned. Emily and Arthur had five children: Susan "Suzette" Parker Ryerson (August 3, 1890), Arthur Larned Ryerson, Jr. (1891-1912), Emily Borie Ryerson (October 8, 1893 – June 25, 1960), Ellen Ashfordbye Ryerson (1895-1973), and John Borie "Jack" Ryerson (December 16, 1898 - January 21, 1986).[1] Arthur, who later served as president of his father's firm, studied law and graduated from Yale in 1871. He went on to practice law and became a partner in the law firm of Isham, Lincoln & Ryerson in Chicago. He also served as the president of St. Luke's Hospital.

The family moved from Chicago to Otsego Lake, New York due to Arthur's health.

Daughter Emily Borie Ryerson married George Hyde Clarke of Hyde Hall.[2] They, who lived on a large estate near Cooperstown, New York, had seven children before divorcing.[3]

RMS Titanic

[edit]
RMS Titanic departing Southampton on 10 April 1912.

In the spring of 1912, Arthur took Ryerson, their youngest son and two of their daughters on a vacation to France and stayed in a house in Versailles. Their holiday was however cut short when the family received the news that their oldest son and Yale student Arthur Larned Ryerson Jr had died in a car accident on 8 April 1912 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.[4] Arthur immediately ended the vacation and booked first-class passage for himself, Ryerson, and three of their children—Suzette, Emily, and John—on the first America bound steamer he could find. He booked ticket number 17608 at the cost of £262 7s 6d on the RMS Titanic, which was to set out on its maiden voyage. They boarded Titanic in Cherbourg, France on 10 April 1912. Ryerson also brought her maid Victorine Chaudanson and her youngest son's governess Grace Scott Bowen on board. The group occupied first class cabins B57, B63 and B66.

On the afternoon of April 14, 1912, fellow passenger Marian Longstreth Thayer invited Ryerson for a walk. It was the first time she had been on the boat deck in public. After nearly an hour they settled into deck chairs outside the aft staircase of 'A' deck to watch the sunset. White Star official, J. Bruce Ismay, joined them and told them about the ice warning from the Baltic. At 11:40 pm, Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink. Ryerson was awake when the ship hit the iceberg. She woke Arthur, Suzette, Emily, John, Grace, and Victorine.

"[The maid's] door was locked and I had some difficulty in waking her. By this time my husband was fully dressed, and we could hear the noise of feet tramping on the deck overhead. He was quite calm and cheerful and helped me put the lifebelts on the children and on my maid. I was paralyzed with fear of not all getting on deck together in time, as there were seven of us. I would not let my younger daughter, [Emily], dress, but she only put on a fur coat, as I did over her nightgown."[5]

Ryerson and her family went to 'A' deck, where the lifeboats were being prepared to be launched, and stood there for "fully half an hour". She, Suzette, Emily, Victorine and Grace stepped into Lifeboat 4 at 1:50 am. John was initially not allowed in; however, Arthur stepped forward and told Second Officer Charles Lightoller (who was loading the boat): "Of course, that boy goes with his mother. He is only 13." After this, John was allowed to join his family but Arthur had to stay behind.[5]

Titanic sinking on 15 April 1912.

After his family had safely departed in lifeboat 4, Arthur headed for the First-Class smoking room. He was seen there by Archibald Gracie IV at 2:00 am playing cards with Clarence Moore, Major Archibald Butt and Francis Millet at their usual table. After the men finished their game, they all shook hands and departed back to the boat deck. The Titanic sank by 2:20 am and Arthur perished in the icy waters that night along with 1,500 other people, including 117 other first-class male passengers.[6] His body, if recovered, was never identified.[7] A memorial was set up alongside the graves of his wife and children in Lakewood Cemetery in Cooperstown, New York.[8]

While in the lifeboat, Ryerson witnessed the ship break in half. They were rescued by RMS Carpathia at about 8:00 am on the 15th. Ryerson, Suzette, Emily, John, Victorine, and Grace were rescued by Carpathia by 8 am, and taken to New York City on 18 April 1912.

Later life

[edit]

Ryerson was bestowed a Croix de Guerre medal for her wartime charity work.[9]

Ryerson designed and built the Ryerson mansion at 2700 Lakeview Ave in Lincoln Park, Chicago, in 1917.[10][11][12]

In the 1920s while traveling through China, Ryerson met William Forsythe Sherfesee, who was the Forestry Advisor to the Chinese Government and later was appointed Advisor to the Ministry of Finance. He was also a graduate of Yale University and was 18 years her junior. He was the son of Heinrich "Louis" Sherfesee and Annie Griffith Sherfesee.

The accounts of Forsythe trying to get from Peking to Chicago in the early weeks of December 1927 made the newspapers worldwide. In the attempt to get him to Chicago during a blizzard, he traveled by boat, train, then finally by private plane, which Ryerson had sent to bring him to Chicago. He did not arrive on time, and they held the wedding December 9, 1927. They went to Italy and Persia for their honeymoon. They traveled throughout their marriage, and settled in Saint- Jean-Cap-Ferrat on the French Riviera where they built Villa Bontoc. Their next door neighbor was the noted author and playwright, Somerset Maugham.[13]

In December 1939 while in Hawaii, Ryerson fell and broke her hip, but insisted on continuing the trip. In Uruguay she suffered a fatal heart attack and died on December 28, 1939. She was buried in Lakewood Cemetery in Cooperstown, New York.[7]

Media portrayals of Arthur

[edit]
The First-Class Smoking Room (pictured here on Olympic), where Arthur was last seen.

A Night to Remember (1958)

[edit]

Arthur was portrayed by Stuart Nicholl in the 1958 movie A Night to Remember. His altercation with Second Officer Lightoller about his son not being allowed in the lifeboat was featured in the film.[14]

Titanic (1997)

[edit]

In the 1997 James Cameron movie Titanic, Arthur can be spotted as a background character and is mentioned by name after Spicer Lovejoy (David Warner) discovers that Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) had stolen Arthur's jacket earlier in the movie in order to disguise himself.[14]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Whited, Charled (3 August 1986). "Lest we forget what the last boy off the Titanic could not". Houston Chronicle. Hearst. ProQuest 295200718.
  2. ^ "George Hyde Clarke and Miss Emily Ryerson, Titanic Survivor, To Be Married". New-York Tribune. 5 September 2015. ProQuest 575474209.
  3. ^ "MRS. EMILY CLARKE, OF CHICAGO FAMILY, ASKS RENO DIVORCE". ChicagoTribune. 3 June 1932. ProQuest 181322534.
  4. ^ (April 9, 1912) "Two Yale Students Killed: Hoffman and Ryerson Thrown from Auto Near Philadelphia", The New York Times. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Affidavit of Emily Ryerson". United States Senate inquiry into the sinking of the RMS Titanic : Day 16. Titanic Inquiry Project. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  6. ^ Hallenbeck, Brent (28 April 1997). "Otsego Man Slips Away From Family" (PDF). The Daily Star. Otsego, New York.
  7. ^ a b "Otsego Man Slips Away From Family" (PDF). The Daily Star (Oneonta). April 28, 1997.
  8. ^ "RMS Titanic - Chicago Connections". glessnerhouse.org. 5 April 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  9. ^ Brewster, Hugh (2012-03-27). Gilded Lives, Fatal Voyage: The Titanic's First-Class Passengers and Their World. Crown. ISBN 978-0-307-98471-5.
  10. ^ Rodkin, Dennis (11 April 2017). "Titanic survivor's mansion will become residential once again". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
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