Lawrence Beesley

Lawrence Beesley was born on December 31, 1877, and died 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 and did very well. He then studied at Caius College, Cambridge, where he also did very well. In 1903, he earned a First Class degree in the Natural Science tripos.

Career

Lawrence Beesley started his career as a schoolteacher at Wirksworth Grammar School in Derbyshire. Later, he taught science at Dulwich College in south London. In 1957, he was still teaching and was 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 what happened called The Loss of the SS Titanic. His book came out just nine weeks after the ship sank.

Beesley was told to get 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 saved by the RMS Carpathia on the morning of April 15.

Later life and legacy

Lawrence Beesley was in a TV show from 1979 called S.O.S. Titanic. An actor named David Warner played him. In 1999, another actor, Lawrence Bennett, played him in a musical on stage.

His son married a famous author named Dodie Smith. He is also the grandfather of a science editor for the New York Times named Nicholas Wade.

Beesley was even part of a made-up story by a writer named Julian Barnes. In this story, he helped with a movie from 1958 about the Titanic.

Publication

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