The drama and tragedy of Titanic’s sinking has spawned all manner of myths about the passengers who left Southampton on the 10th of April 1912, and for four days luxuriated in her modern facilities, sumptuous interiors, and comfortable cabins. Particularly, in part thanks to the tremendous exploits of James Cameron’s Rose and Cal, the ship’s extravagant millionaires, tycoons and aristocrats. The truth of their lives exceeds even the legends. From J.J. Astor, the richest man on board, with his child bride, to Ben Guggenheim - an icon of Gilded Age America - and his mistress, to Sir Cosimo Duff Gordon and his wife, a lingerie entrepreneur, and Archie Butt, a beloved aide to President Taft, with his lover Francis. Conspicuously absent, however, was John Pierpont Morgan, who cancelled his booking at the last minute, and in one fell swoop found his greatest business competitors eliminated…Just as intriguing though, and often overlooked, were Titanic’s second class passengers: middle-aged men with their teenage mistresses, a father who had his kidnapped his children, excited families, and Joseph Laroche, a brilliant engineer and the only black man on board, for whom Titanic provided the chance to sail into a new life. The same was true for many others. Little did they know that their marvellous adventure would come at a terrible cost.
Join Tom and Dominic as they explore the dazzling, eccentric and endlessly fascinating First and Second Class passengers of Titanic, whose extraordinary lives shine all the brighter for the terrible danger and tragedy waiting for them on the icy horizon…


*The Rest Is History LIVE in 2024*

Tom and Dominic are back onstage this summer, at Hampton Court Palace in London! 

Buy your tickets here: therestishistory.com


Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook


Producer: Theo Young-Smith

Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett

Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices