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{{Short description|American businessman}}{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2012}}
{{Short description|American businessman (1865–1912)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2012}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Benjamin Guggenheim
| name = Benjamin Guggenheim
| image = Benjamin-guggenheim.jpg
| image = Benjamin-guggenheim.jpg
| image_size =
| image_size =
| caption =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1865|10|26}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1865|10|26}}
| birth_place = [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1912|04|15|1865|10|26}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1912|04|15|1865|10|26}}
| death_place = [[North Atlantic Ocean]], aboard the {{RMS|Titanic}}
| death_place = [[North Atlantic Ocean]]
| death_cause = [[Sinking of the RMS Titanic]]
| death_cause = [[Sinking of the Titanic]]
| nationality = American
| citizenship = American<br>German
| other_names =
| other_names =
| known_for =
| known_for =
| education = [[Columbia College (New York)|Columbia College]]<br>[[Peirce College|Peirce School of Business]]
| education = [[Columbia College (New York)|Columbia College]]<br />[[Peirce College|Peirce School of Business]]
| alma_mater =
| alma_mater =
| employer =
| employer =
| occupation = Businessman
| occupation = Businessman
| spouse = {{marriage|Florette Seligman|1894}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Florette Seligman|1894}}
| children = 3, including [[Peggy Guggenheim]]
| children = 3, including [[Peggy Guggenheim|Peggy]] and [[(Barbara) Hazel Guggenheim King-Farlow McKinley|Barbara]]
| parents = [[Meyer Guggenheim]]
| parents = [[Meyer Guggenheim]]
}}
}}


'''Benjamin Guggenheim''' (October 26, 1865 – April 15, 1912) was an American businessman. He died aboard {{RMS|Titanic}} when the ship sank in the [[North Atlantic Ocean]]. His body was never recovered.<ref name=message/>
'''Benjamin Guggenheim''' (October 26, 1865 – April 15, 1912) was an American businessman, who was a wealthy member of the [[Guggenheim family]]. He was among the most prominent American passengers aboard {{RMS|Titanic}} and perished along with 1,495 others when the ship [[Sinking of the RMS Titanic|sank on her maiden voyage]] taking 1,496 of 2,208 on board with her.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Benjamin Guggenheim was born in [[Philadelphia]], Pennsylvania, the fifth of seven sons of the wealthy mining magnate [[Meyer Guggenheim]] (1828–1905), and Barbara Myers (1834–1900), both originally from [[Lengnau, Aargau]], Switzerland.<ref>[https://gw.geneanet.org/tdowling?lang=en&p=barbara&n=myers]</ref><ref>[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/142889630/barbara-guggenheim Barbara Myers Guggenheim]</ref> The first member of his family to enter an institute of higher learning, he entered [[Columbia College (New York)|Columbia College]] in 1882, matriculating with the class of 1887. However, he found most of his course boring and dropped out after his second year.<ref>{{Cite book|last=University|first=Columbia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z8BBAAAAYAAJ&q=Guggenheim+&pg=PP5|title=Catalogue of Matriculants who Have Not Graduated, 1758-1897|date=1897|publisher=Published for the University|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mGQdAQAAIAAJ&q=benjamin+guggenheim+columbia&pg=PA13|title=Annual Register of the Officers and Students of Columbia College|date=1884|publisher=Columbia College|location=New York City|pages=13|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Davis|first=John H.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y0_8a63XTD4C&q=Columbia&pg=PA434|title=The Guggenheims: An American Epic|date=August 1994|publisher=SP Books|isbn=978-1-56171-351-6|pages=201|language=en}}</ref> He also attended the Peirce School of Business (now [[Peirce College]]), then one of the most prominent business schools in the country.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Everts|first=Bart|title=What do a wealthy Titanic passenger, a world tennis champion, and a 90's rapper have in common? Peirce College of course!|url=http://blog.peirce.edu/2015/02/what-do-wealthy-titanic-passenger-world.html|access-date=2020-06-25}}</ref> Guggenheim was Jewish.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Jewish-World/Jewish-Features/The-Titanic-and-Jews|title = The Titanic and Jews}}</ref>
Guggenheim was born in [[Philadelphia]], Pennsylvania, the fifth of seven sons of the wealthy mining magnate [[Meyer Guggenheim]] and Barbara. Meyer Guggenheim's parents were [[Jewish]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Jewish-World/Jewish-Features/The-Titanic-and-Jews|title = The Titanic and Jews| date=April 15, 2012 }}</ref> His father was a [[History of the Jews in Switzerland|Swiss Jew]] born in [[Lengnau, Aargau]], [[Switzerland]]<ref name="Davis1994">{{cite book |last1=Davis |first1=John H. |title=The Guggenheims: An American Epic |date=1994 |publisher=S.P.I. Books |location=New York |isbn=9781561713516 |url=https://archive.org/details/guggenheims00john |url-access=registration |access-date=11 September 2019 |language=en}}</ref> and his mother was a [[History of the Jews in Germany|German Jew]]. Meyer Guggenheim met Barbara Meyers (1834–1900),{{contradict other|Meyer Guggenheim|date=August 2024}} a fellow immigrant on the ship to the United States, and married her four years later around 1852.<ref name="Reme2002">{{cite book |last1=Reme |first1=Jim |last2=Navarra |first2=Tova |last3=R.N |first3=Tova Navarra |title=Monmouth University |date=2002 |publisher=[[Arcadia Publishing]] |isbn=9780738510101 |page=29 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z93qr5lMTggC&pg=PA29 |access-date=11 September 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Benjamin was the first member of his family to enter an institute of higher learning, he entered [[Columbia College (New York)|Columbia College]] in 1882, matriculating with the class of 1887. However, he found most of his courses boring and dropped out after his second year.<ref>{{Cite book|last=University|first=Columbia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z8BBAAAAYAAJ&q=Guggenheim+&pg=PP5|title=Catalogue of Matriculants who Have Not Graduated, 1758-1897|date=1897|publisher=Published for the University|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mGQdAQAAIAAJ&q=benjamin+guggenheim+columbia&pg=PA13|title=Annual Register of the Officers and Students of Columbia College|date=1884|publisher=Columbia College|location=New York City|pages=13|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Davis|first=John H.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y0_8a63XTD4C&q=Columbia&pg=PA434|title=The Guggenheims: An American Epic|date=August 1994|publisher=SP Books|isbn=978-1-56171-351-6|pages=201|language=en}}</ref> He also attended the Peirce School of Business (now [[Peirce College]]), then one of the most prominent business schools in the country.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Everts|first=Bart|title=What do a wealthy Titanic passenger, a world tennis champion, and a 90's rapper have in common? Peirce College of course!|url=http://blog.peirce.edu/2015/02/what-do-wealthy-titanic-passenger-world.html|access-date=2020-06-25|archive-date=June 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628124034/http://blog.peirce.edu/2015/02/what-do-wealthy-titanic-passenger-world.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 1894, he married Florette Seligman (1870–1937),<ref>[http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/item/3383/ Guggenheim-Seligman : New York Times (1894) – October 25, 1894]</ref> daughter of James Seligman, a senior partner in the firm [[J. & W. Seligman & Co.]] and Rosa Seligman, née Content. Her family originated in Baiersdorf, Franconia, Germany. Together, they had three daughters: Benita Rosalind Guggenheim (1895–1927), [[Peggy Guggenheim|Marguerite "Peggy" Guggenheim]] (1898–1979) and Barbara Hazel Guggenheim (1903–1995).
In 1894, he married Florette Seligman (1870–1937),<ref>[http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/item/3383/ Guggenheim-Seligman : New York Times (1894) – October 25, 1894]</ref> daughter of James Seligman, a senior partner in the firm [[J. & W. Seligman & Co.]] and Rosa Seligman, née Content. Her family originated in Baiersdorf, Franconia, Germany. Together, they had three daughters: Benita Rosalind Guggenheim (1895–1927), [[Peggy Guggenheim|Marguerite "Peggy" Guggenheim]] (1898–1979) and [[(Barbara) Hazel Guggenheim King-Farlow McKinley|Barbara Hazel Guggenheim]] (1903–1995).


Guggenheim inherited a great deal of money from his mother. Due to business concerns, he grew distant from his wife and was frequently away from their New York City home. He maintained an apartment in Paris, France.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biography.com/people/benjamin-guggenheim-283816|title=Benjamin Guggenheim|access-date=February 16, 2012|publisher=biography.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331222345/http://www.biography.com/people/benjamin-guggenheim-283816|archive-date=March 31, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Guggenheim inherited a great deal of money from his mother. Due to business concerns, he grew distant from his wife and was frequently away from their New York City home. He maintained an apartment in Paris, France.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biography.com/people/benjamin-guggenheim-283816|title=Benjamin Guggenheim|access-date=February 16, 2012|publisher=biography.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331222345/http://www.biography.com/people/benjamin-guggenheim-283816|archive-date=March 31, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Aboard the ''Titanic''==
==''Titanic''==
[[File:19120420 Guggenheim, Dying, Sent Wife Message - The New York Times.png|thumb|right|upright=1.5| This article in ''The New York Times'' relates a description from an assistant steward of Guggenheim's last hours, including donning formalwear instead of a life preserver, helping other passengers to board lifeboats, and how he said he and his secretary were "prepared to go down like gentlemen".<ref name=NYTimes_219120420>{{cite news |title=Guggenheim, Dying, Sent Wife Message |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/new-york-times-apr-20-1912-p-9/ |work=The New York Times |date=April 20, 1912 |page=9}}</ref>]]
[[File:19120420 Guggenheim, Dying, Sent Wife Message - The New York Times.png|thumb|right|upright=1.5| This article in ''The New York Times'' relates a description from an assistant steward of Guggenheim's last hours, including helping other passengers to board lifeboats, donning formal wear instead of a life preserver, and saying that he and his secretary were "prepared to go down like gentlemen".<ref name=NYTimes_219120420>{{cite news |title=Guggenheim, Dying, Sent Wife Message |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/new-york-times-apr-20-1912-p-9/ |work=The New York Times |date=April 20, 1912 |page=9}}</ref>]]
Guggenheim boarded the {{RMS|Titanic}} and was accompanied by his mistress, a French singer named [[Léontine Pauline Aubart|Léontine Aubart]] (1887–1964); his valet, Victor Giglio (1888–1912); his chauffeur, René Pernot (1872–1912); and Madame Aubart's maid, Emma Sägesser (1887–1964). His ticket was number 17593 and cost £79 4s (other sources give the price as £56 18s 7d). He and Giglio occupied stateroom cabin B84 while Aubart and Sägesser occupied cabin B35. Pernot occupied an unknown cabin in second class.<ref name=message/>
Guggenheim boarded the {{RMS|Titanic}} and was accompanied by his mistress, a French singer named [[Léontine Pauline Aubart|Léontine Aubart]] (1887–1964); his secretary, Victor Giglio (1888–1912); his chauffeur, René Pernot (1872–1912); and Madame Aubart's maid, Emma Sägesser (1887–1964). His ticket was number 17593 and cost £79 4s (other sources give the price as £56 18s 7d). He and Giglio occupied stateroom cabin B84 while Aubart and Sägesser occupied cabin B35. Pernot occupied an unknown cabin in second class.<ref name=message/>


Guggenheim and Giglio slept through the ''Titanic''{{'s}} encounter with the iceberg only to be awakened just after midnight ship's time by Aubart and Sägesser, who had felt the collision. Sägesser later quoted Giglio as saying, "Never mind, icebergs! What is an iceberg?"{{Citation needed|date=April 2015}} Guggenheim was persuaded to awaken and dress, and bedroom steward Henry Samuel Etches helped fit him with a lifebelt and a heavy sweater before sending Guggenheim, Giglio, and the two women up to the boat deck.<ref name=message>{{cite web|url=http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/guggenheim-dying-sent-wife-message.html|title=Guggenheim, Dying, Sent Wife Message |date=April 20, 1912 |access-date=April 17, 2012|quote=Efforts to find the body of Benjamin Guggenheim, who was the fifth of the seven Guggenheim brothers, as well as the bodies of other victims, will be made by the six surviving brothers.|newspaper=[[The New York Times]] }}</ref>
Guggenheim and Giglio slept through the ''Titanic''{{'s}} encounter with the iceberg only to be awakened just after midnight ship's time by Aubart and Sägesser, who had felt the collision. Sägesser later quoted Giglio as saying, "Never mind, icebergs! What is an iceberg?"{{Citation needed|date=April 2015}} Bedroom steward Henry Etches stopped by Guggenheim's stateroom, B-84 and awoke Guggenheim and Giglio, telling them to get dressed. During the evacuation, Steward Etches returned to Guggenheim's stateroom; Guggenheim answered the door on the first knock, leading Etches to conclude that the magnate had only just retired and undressed for bed. Etches entered the room, pulled their three lifebelts out, and placed one on Guggenheim. "This will hurt", Guggenheim complained. Etches helped to pull heavy sweaters over them both. Giglio and Guggenheim stayed together as they left the cabin and went out on deck. Etches saw them on their way.{{sfn|Fitch|Layton|Wormstedt|2012|p=187}}<ref name=message>{{cite web|url=http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/guggenheim-dying-sent-wife-message.html|title=Guggenheim, Dying, Sent Wife Message |date=April 20, 1912 |access-date=April 17, 2012|quote=Efforts to find the body of Benjamin Guggenheim, who was the fifth of the seven Guggenheim brothers, as well as the bodies of other victims, will be made by the six surviving brothers.|newspaper=[[The New York Times]] }}</ref>
Etches later testified that Guggenheim and his valet went from lifeboat to lifeboat ensuring the women and children were safely aboard and that the two were of great assistance to the officers.<ref>{{cite web |title=GUGGENHEIM, DYING, SENT WIFE MESSAGE |url=https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/guggenheim-dying-sent-wife-message.html |website=Encyclopedia Titanica |date=September 10, 2004 |publisher=New York Times |access-date=17 March 2023}}</ref>


As Aubart and Sägesser reluctantly entered Lifeboat No. 9, Guggenheim spoke to the maid in German, saying, "We will soon see each other again! It's just a repair. Tomorrow the ''Titanic'' will go on again." Realizing that the situation was much more serious than he had implied and that he was not going to be rescued, he returned to his cabin with Giglio and the two men changed into evening wear.<ref name=message/> ''Titanic'' survivor Rose Amelie Icard wrote in a letter, "The millionaire Benjamin Guggenheim after having helped the rescue of women and children, got dressed and put a rose at his buttonhole, to die."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/titanic-anniversary/10713889/Titanic-letter-reveals-new-first-hand-account-of-disaster.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322111403/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/titanic-anniversary/10713889/Titanic-letter-reveals-new-first-hand-account-of-disaster.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 March 2014|title=Titanic letter reveals new first-hand account of disaster|publisher=The Daily Telegraph|author=Poppy Danby|date=21 March 2014|access-date=24 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/03/19/titanic-letters-reddit_n_4992956.html|title=Titanic Letters Translated by email Reddit, Reveal Harrowing New Perspective on the Tragedy|work=The Huffington Post|date=21 March 2014|access-date=24 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/French/comments/20qk9t/request_i_own_the_only_set_of_letters_written_by/|title=REQUEST. I own the only set of letters written by Rose Amélie Icard (longest French living ''Titanic'' survivor) describing a first hand account of what happened as the ''Titanic'' sank. It's written in French and I would love to have it translated so I could have them framed.|publisher=Reddit|author=md28usmc|date=21 March 2014|access-date=24 September 2016}}</ref> He was heard to remark, "We've dressed up in our best and are prepared to go down like gentlemen."<ref name=message/> Etches, who survived the sinking, recorded Guggenheim's message: "If anything should happen to me, tell my wife in New York that I've done my best in doing my duty."<ref name=message/> Etches reported that "shortly after the last few boats were lowered and I was ordered by the deck officer to man an oar, I waved good-bye to Mr. Guggenheim, and that was the last I saw of him and [Giglio]."<ref name=message/> Both men died in the sinking. Their bodies, if recovered, were never identified. Guggenheim's chauffeur Pernot was also lost in the disaster.
Guggenheim ultimately realised that the situation was much more serious than he had implied.<ref name=message/> ''Titanic'' survivor Rose Amelie Icard wrote in a letter, "The millionaire Benjamin Guggenheim after having helped the rescue of women and children, got dressed and put a rose at his buttonhole, to die."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/titanic-anniversary/10713889/Titanic-letter-reveals-new-first-hand-account-of-disaster.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322111403/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/titanic-anniversary/10713889/Titanic-letter-reveals-new-first-hand-account-of-disaster.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 March 2014|title=Titanic letter reveals new first-hand account of disaster|publisher=The Daily Telegraph|author=Poppy Danby|date=21 March 2014|access-date=24 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/03/19/titanic-letters-reddit_n_4992956.html|title=Titanic Letters Translated by email Reddit, Reveal Harrowing New Perspective on the Tragedy|work=The Huffington Post|date=21 March 2014|access-date=24 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/French/comments/20qk9t/request_i_own_the_only_set_of_letters_written_by/|title=REQUEST. I own the only set of letters written by Rose Amélie Icard (longest French living ''Titanic'' survivor) describing a first hand account of what happened as the ''Titanic'' sank. It's written in French and I would love to have it translated so I could have them framed.|publisher=Reddit|author=md28usmc|date=21 March 2014|access-date=24 September 2016}}</ref> Sometime after arriving on deck, Etches saw Guggenheim and Giglio; they were dressed in their evening clothes and had taken off their sweaters and lifebelts. Guggenheim explained, "We've dressed up in our best and are prepared to go down like gentlemen."<ref name=message/> Etches, who survived the sinking, recorded Guggenheim's message to give to his wife: "If anything should happen to me, tell my wife in New York that I've done my best in doing my duty."<ref name=message/> Etches next watched Guggenheim and Giglio pass from Boats Nos. 7 and 5, "helping the women and children". Guggenheim shouted repeatedly, "Women first" and the two men were of "great assistance" to the officers. Another steward reportedly said Guggenheim sent another message to his wife, asking to tell her "that I played the game straight to the end and that no women was left on board this ship because Ben Guggenheim was a coward. Tell her that my last thoughts will be of her and our girls". The steward said Guggenheim "lit a cigar and sauntered up to the boat deck to help load the lifeboats."{{sfn|Fitch|Layton|Wormstedt|2012|p=194}} As Aubart and Sägesser reluctantly entered Lifeboat No. 9, Guggenheim reportedly was on the deck nearby and spoke in German, "We will soon see each other again! It's just a repair. Tomorrow the ''Titanic'' will go on again."{{sfn|Fitch|Layton|Wormstedt|2012|p=213}} Etches reported that "shortly after the last few boats were lowered and I was ordered by the deck officer to man an oar, I waved good-bye to Mr. Guggenheim, and that was the last I saw of him and [Giglio]."<ref name=message/> Guggenheim and Giglio, as well as Guggenheim's chauffeur Pernot, died in the sinking. Their bodies were never recovered.

⚫
==Portrayals==
Guggenheim was among the most prominent American victims of the disaster. As such, he has been portrayed in numerous films, television series and a [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] show based on the sinking:

⚫
* Camillo Guercio (in an uncredited role) in ''[[Titanic (1953 film)|Titanic]]'' (1953)
⚫
* [[Harold Goldblatt]] in ''[[A Night to Remember (1958 film)|A Night to Remember]]'' (1958)
⚫
* [[John Moffatt (actor)|John Moffatt]] in ''[[SOS Titanic]]'' (1979)
⚫
* [[Michael Ensign]] in ''[[Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]]'' (1997)
* [[David Eisner (actor)|David Eisner]] in ''[[Titanic TV series]]'' (2013)


==Legacy==
Guggenheim's family, including his brother Robert, had been hoping for news of their loved one, whom the press had reported was among the missing prior to the Carpathia's arrival in New York. The news Guggenheim had died was confirmed by a wireless dispatch sent from the ship and received on April 18, 1912. After relating how Guggenheim was one of his charges during the voyage, Etches told them about Guggenheim's actions and the final favour asked of him. Etches, producing the note and handing it to the widow, reported: "That's all he said, there wasn't time for more." The family were very grateful for the news and visit.{{sfn|Fitch|Layton|Wormstedt|2012|p=266}}
⚫
===Portrayals===
⚫
* Camillo Guercio (1953) (''[[Titanic (1953 film)|Titanic]]'')
* Victor Thorley (1956) (''[[Kraft Television Theatre]]''; [[A Night to Remember (Kraft Television Theatre)|''A Night to Remember'']])
⚫
* [[Harold Goldblatt]] (1958) (''[[A Night to Remember (1958 film)|A Night to Remember]]'') (British film)
⚫
* [[John Moffatt (actor)|John Moffatt]] (1979) (''[[S.O.S. Titanic]]''; TV Movie)
* Joseph Kolinski (1997) (''[[Titanic (musical)|Titanic]]''; [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] Musical)
⚫
* [[Michael Ensign]] (1997) (''[[Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]]'')
* [[David Eisner (actor)|David Eisner]] (2012) (''[[Titanic (2012 TV miniseries)|Titanic]]''; TV series/3 episodes)<ref>{{Cite web |title=David Eisner |url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/david-eisner/credits/3000191892/ |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 55: Line 56:
==References==
==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Sources==
* {{cite book
| last1 = Fitch
| first1 = Tad
| last2 = Layton
| first2 = J. Kent
| last3 =Wormstedt | first3 = Bill
| year = 2012
| title = On A Sea of Glass: The Life & Loss of the R.M.S. Titanic
| publisher = Amberley Books
| isbn = 978-1848689275
}}


==External links and references==
==External links and references==
Line 76: Line 90:
[[Category:Columbia College (New York) alumni]]
[[Category:Columbia College (New York) alumni]]
[[Category:Peirce College people]]
[[Category:Peirce College people]]
[[Category:20th-century American businesspeople]]

Revision as of 16:41, 28 November 2024

Benjamin Guggenheim
Born(1865-10-26)October 26, 1865
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedApril 15, 1912(1912-04-15) (aged 46)
North Atlantic Ocean
Cause of deathSinking of the Titanic
EducationColumbia College
Peirce School of Business
OccupationBusinessman
Spouse
Florette Seligman
​
(m. 1894)​
Children3, including Peggy and Barbara
ParentMeyer Guggenheim

Benjamin Guggenheim (October 26, 1865 – April 15, 1912) was an American businessman, who was a wealthy member of the Guggenheim family. He was among the most prominent American passengers aboard RMS Titanic and perished along with 1,495 others when the ship sank on her maiden voyage taking 1,496 of 2,208 on board with her.

Early life

Guggenheim was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the fifth of seven sons of the wealthy mining magnate Meyer Guggenheim and Barbara. Meyer Guggenheim's parents were Jewish.[1] His father was a Swiss Jew born in Lengnau, Aargau, Switzerland[2] and his mother was a German Jew. Meyer Guggenheim met Barbara Meyers (1834–1900),

a fellow immigrant on the ship to the United States, and married her four years later around 1852.[3] Benjamin was the first member of his family to enter an institute of higher learning, he entered Columbia College in 1882, matriculating with the class of 1887. However, he found most of his courses boring and dropped out after his second year.[4][5][6] He also attended the Peirce School of Business (now Peirce College), then one of the most prominent business schools in the country.[7]

In 1894, he married Florette Seligman (1870–1937),[8] daughter of James Seligman, a senior partner in the firm J. & W. Seligman & Co. and Rosa Seligman, née Content. Her family originated in Baiersdorf, Franconia, Germany. Together, they had three daughters: Benita Rosalind Guggenheim (1895–1927), Marguerite "Peggy" Guggenheim (1898–1979) and Barbara Hazel Guggenheim (1903–1995).

Guggenheim inherited a great deal of money from his mother. Due to business concerns, he grew distant from his wife and was frequently away from their New York City home. He maintained an apartment in Paris, France.[9]

Titanic

This article in The New York Times relates a description from an assistant steward of Guggenheim's last hours, including helping other passengers to board lifeboats, donning formal wear instead of a life preserver, and saying that he and his secretary were "prepared to go down like gentlemen".[10]

Guggenheim boarded the RMS Titanic and was accompanied by his mistress, a French singer named Léontine Aubart (1887–1964); his secretary, Victor Giglio (1888–1912); his chauffeur, René Pernot (1872–1912); and Madame Aubart's maid, Emma Sägesser (1887–1964). His ticket was number 17593 and cost £79 4s (other sources give the price as £56 18s 7d). He and Giglio occupied stateroom cabin B84 while Aubart and Sägesser occupied cabin B35. Pernot occupied an unknown cabin in second class.[11]

Guggenheim and Giglio slept through the Titanic's encounter with the iceberg only to be awakened just after midnight ship's time by Aubart and Sägesser, who had felt the collision. Sägesser later quoted Giglio as saying, "Never mind, icebergs! What is an iceberg?"[citation needed] Bedroom steward Henry Etches stopped by Guggenheim's stateroom, B-84 and awoke Guggenheim and Giglio, telling them to get dressed. During the evacuation, Steward Etches returned to Guggenheim's stateroom; Guggenheim answered the door on the first knock, leading Etches to conclude that the magnate had only just retired and undressed for bed. Etches entered the room, pulled their three lifebelts out, and placed one on Guggenheim. "This will hurt", Guggenheim complained. Etches helped to pull heavy sweaters over them both. Giglio and Guggenheim stayed together as they left the cabin and went out on deck. Etches saw them on their way.[12][11] Etches later testified that Guggenheim and his valet went from lifeboat to lifeboat ensuring the women and children were safely aboard and that the two were of great assistance to the officers.[13]

Guggenheim ultimately realised that the situation was much more serious than he had implied.[11] Titanic survivor Rose Amelie Icard wrote in a letter, "The millionaire Benjamin Guggenheim after having helped the rescue of women and children, got dressed and put a rose at his buttonhole, to die."[14][15][16] Sometime after arriving on deck, Etches saw Guggenheim and Giglio; they were dressed in their evening clothes and had taken off their sweaters and lifebelts. Guggenheim explained, "We've dressed up in our best and are prepared to go down like gentlemen."[11] Etches, who survived the sinking, recorded Guggenheim's message to give to his wife: "If anything should happen to me, tell my wife in New York that I've done my best in doing my duty."[11] Etches next watched Guggenheim and Giglio pass from Boats Nos. 7 and 5, "helping the women and children". Guggenheim shouted repeatedly, "Women first" and the two men were of "great assistance" to the officers. Another steward reportedly said Guggenheim sent another message to his wife, asking to tell her "that I played the game straight to the end and that no women was left on board this ship because Ben Guggenheim was a coward. Tell her that my last thoughts will be of her and our girls". The steward said Guggenheim "lit a cigar and sauntered up to the boat deck to help load the lifeboats."[17] As Aubart and Sägesser reluctantly entered Lifeboat No. 9, Guggenheim reportedly was on the deck nearby and spoke in German, "We will soon see each other again! It's just a repair. Tomorrow the Titanic will go on again."[18] Etches reported that "shortly after the last few boats were lowered and I was ordered by the deck officer to man an oar, I waved good-bye to Mr. Guggenheim, and that was the last I saw of him and [Giglio]."[11] Guggenheim and Giglio, as well as Guggenheim's chauffeur Pernot, died in the sinking. Their bodies were never recovered.

Legacy

Guggenheim's family, including his brother Robert, had been hoping for news of their loved one, whom the press had reported was among the missing prior to the Carpathia's arrival in New York. The news Guggenheim had died was confirmed by a wireless dispatch sent from the ship and received on April 18, 1912. After relating how Guggenheim was one of his charges during the voyage, Etches told them about Guggenheim's actions and the final favour asked of him. Etches, producing the note and handing it to the widow, reported: "That's all he said, there wasn't time for more." The family were very grateful for the news and visit.[19]

Portrayals

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Titanic and Jews". April 15, 2012.
  2. ^ Davis, John H. (1994). The Guggenheims: An American Epic. New York: S.P.I. Books. ISBN 9781561713516. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  3. ^ Reme, Jim; Navarra, Tova; R.N, Tova Navarra (2002). Monmouth University. Arcadia Publishing. p. 29. ISBN 9780738510101. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  4. ^ University, Columbia (1897). Catalogue of Matriculants who Have Not Graduated, 1758-1897. Published for the University.
  5. ^ Annual Register of the Officers and Students of Columbia College. New York City: Columbia College. 1884. p. 13.
  6. ^ Davis, John H. (August 1994). The Guggenheims: An American Epic. SP Books. p. 201. ISBN 978-1-56171-351-6.
  7. ^ Everts, Bart. "What do a wealthy Titanic passenger, a world tennis champion, and a 90's rapper have in common? Peirce College of course!". Archived from the original on June 28, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  8. ^ Guggenheim-Seligman : New York Times (1894) – October 25, 1894
  9. ^ "Benjamin Guggenheim". biography.com. Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  10. ^ "Guggenheim, Dying, Sent Wife Message". The New York Times. April 20, 1912. p. 9.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "Guggenheim, Dying, Sent Wife Message". The New York Times. April 20, 1912. Retrieved April 17, 2012. Efforts to find the body of Benjamin Guggenheim, who was the fifth of the seven Guggenheim brothers, as well as the bodies of other victims, will be made by the six surviving brothers.
  12. ^ Fitch, Layton & Wormstedt 2012, p. 187.
  13. ^ "GUGGENHEIM, DYING, SENT WIFE MESSAGE". Encyclopedia Titanica. New York Times. September 10, 2004. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  14. ^ Poppy Danby (March 21, 2014). "Titanic letter reveals new first-hand account of disaster". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on March 22, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
  15. ^ "Titanic Letters Translated by email Reddit, Reveal Harrowing New Perspective on the Tragedy". The Huffington Post. March 21, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
  16. ^ md28usmc (March 21, 2014). "REQUEST. I own the only set of letters written by Rose Amélie Icard (longest French living Titanic survivor) describing a first hand account of what happened as the Titanic sank. It's written in French and I would love to have it translated so I could have them framed". Reddit. Retrieved September 24, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ Fitch, Layton & Wormstedt 2012, p. 194.
  18. ^ Fitch, Layton & Wormstedt 2012, p. 213.
  19. ^ Fitch, Layton & Wormstedt 2012, p. 266.
  20. ^ "David Eisner". TVGuide.com. Retrieved April 21, 2022.

Sources

  • Fitch, Tad; Layton, J. Kent; Wormstedt, Bill (2012). On A Sea of Glass: The Life & Loss of the R.M.S. Titanic. Amberley Books. ISBN 978-1848689275.
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