Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Guggenheim

By: Hannah Holterman

 Benjamin Guggenheim was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 26, 1865.  He was the 5^th of 7 sons for his mother and father.  His father was the infamous Meyer Guggenheim, founder of House of M Guggenheim and Sons.  Benjamin married Miss Floretta Seligman, daughter of a Philadelphia banker, James Seligman.  They had three daughters together-Benita Rosalind Guggenheim, Marguerite “ Peggy” Guggenheim, and Barbara Hazel Guggenheim. 

 When Benjamin was 20, his father sent him to Leadville, Colorado to take charge of the older family’s mining activities.  While he was in Colorado, Benjamin realized that there were big opportunities in the smelting business.  He decided to try his luck at the smelting business.  The result was one of the greatest increases in wealth for the Guggenheim family that they had received from any other industry.  In 1903, Benjamin built a large factory in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for manufacturing mining equipment. Three years after he built the factory, it united with the International Steam Pump Company, in which Mr. Guggenheim had had a large stock with for several years.  He then became chairman of the Executive Committee for the International Steam Pump Company.  He was the chairman until January of 1909, when he became president of the company. 

 Benjamin Guggenheim was 46 years old when he departed from Cherbourg on the Titanic.  He had originally booked passage on the Lusitania, but had to transfer to the Titanic because the Lusitania was idled for repair.  His ticket number, 17593, gave him cabin B-84.  His ticket cost him 56 pounds, 18 shillings, and 7 pence.  He was traveling first class.  Mr. Guggenheim was traveling with a valet, Mr. Victor Giglio, who occupied cabin B-84.  He was also traveling with a chauffeur, René Pernot, who traveled in second class, a “ mistress,” Mrs. Aubart, and Mrs. Aubart’s maid Emma Sägesser.  René Pernot was traveling in second class.

 On April 14^th around midnight, Benjamin and the rest of the passengers and crew were told to put on life jackets and warm clothes and proceed to the top deck, stern side.  Mr. Benjamin then went into his cabin with his valet.  When they emerged, they were wearing their finest evening wear.  Ben was later quoted, “We’ve dressed up in our best and are prepared to go down like gentlemen.”(From site 4) and, “Tell my wife… I played the game out straight and to the end.” (From site 6).  When the men returned to the deck, they discovered that Mrs. Aubart and Emma Sägesser had abandoned ship on lifeboat No.9.  Ben then said, “I am willing to remain and play the man’s game if there are not enough boats for more than women and children.  No woman shall be left aboard this ship because Ben Guggenheim was a coward.”  (From site 6).  Benjamin Guggenheim and Victor Giglio went down with the ship and were never seen again.  Still, the legacy of Mr. Benjamin Guggenheim lives on.

Works Cited

1. "Mr. Benjamin Guggenheim." Encyclopedia Titanica. 2007. 2 Apr 2008 <http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/biography/143/>.

 2. Unknown, "Guggenheim, Benjamin Mr.” http://areallydifferentplace.org/titanic/address.php?id=1136. 2005. 2 Apr 2008 <http://areallydifferentplace.org/titanic/list.php>.

 3. Unknown, "Benjamin Guggenheim." Encyclopedia Titanica. 1912. New York Times. 2 Apr 2008 <http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/item/3859/>.

4. Unknown, "Benjamin Guggenheim." Wikipedia . Unknown. 2 Apr 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Guggenheim>.

 5. Ballard, Dr. Robert D. The Discovery of the Titanic. 2. New York, NY: Warner Books Inc., 1998.

6. Wels, Susan. Titanic Legacy of the World's Greatest Ocean Liner. 1. New York, NY: Tehabi Books, 1997.

7. Aaseng, Nathan. The Titanic. 1. San Diego, CA: Lucent Books, 1999.

8. “Benjamin Guggenheim.” Online image. Answers.com. April 9^th, 2008. www.answers.com/topic/benjamin-guggenheim