Edward Smith was a British naval officer best known for his role as the captain of the RMS Titanic during its ill-fated maiden voyage in April 1912. Born on January 27, 1850, in Hanley, England, he joined the Merchant Navy at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks due to his experience and leadership skills. On April 15, 1912, the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank, leading to the loss of over 1,500 lives. Edward Smith went down with the ship, becoming a symbol of the tragedy. His legacy is often discussed in the context of maritime safety and the lessons learned from the disaster.