Lawrence Beesley

Lawrence Beesley was born on December 31, 1877, and passed away on February 14, 1967. He was an English science teacher, a journalist, and an author. One of the most important events in his life was surviving the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Beesley's experiences during the disaster helped him become a writer who shared stories about what happened on that famous ship. His work gives us valuable insights into one of the most well-known maritime events in history.

Education

Lawrence Beesley went to school at Derby School, where he was a top student. He then studied at Caius College, Cambridge, also as a top student. In 1903, he earned a First Class degree in the Natural Science tripos.

Career

Lawrence Beesley began his career as a schoolteacher at Wirksworth Grammar School in Derbyshire. Later, he taught science at Dulwich College in south London. Even in 1957, he was still teaching, serving as the Principal of the Northwood School of Coaching in Northwood, Middlesex.

RMS Titanic

Further information: Lifeboats of the RMS Titanic § Boat 13 (starboard)

Lawrence Beesley was a second class passenger on the ship Titanic when it sank in April 1912. He wrote a book about his experience called The Loss of the SS Titanic, which was published just nine weeks after the disaster.

Beesley was told to jump into Lifeboat No.13 when it was being lowered. He survived when Lifeboat No.15 almost hit his boat. Someone cut the ropes just in time, and everyone was safe. Later, Beesley and the other survivors were rescued by the RMS Carpathia on the morning of April 15.

Later life and legacy

Lawrence Beesley was shown in a TV show from 1979 called S.O.S. Titanic, played by an actor named David Warner. Later, in 1999, another actor named Lawrence Bennett played him in a musical version of the story on stage. His son married a well-known author named Dodie Smith, and he is also the grandfather of a science editor for the New York Times named Nicholas Wade.

Beesley even appeared in a made-up story by a writer named Julian Barnes. In this story, Beesley helped with a movie from 1958 also about the Titanic. He tried to stay during a scene where the ship sank, but the movie director sent him away because of rules.

Publication

Lawrence Beesley wrote a book about his experience called The Loss of The SS Titanic: Its Story and Its Lessons, which came out in June 1912. Later, in the year 2000, the book was printed again by Mariner Books.