A Close Call With History

It's wild to think how much the world might've changed if just a few more famous names had been on board the Titanic in 1912. History is full of these "what if" moments where a last-minute change of plans or a sudden illness completely altered the course of the world. With that in mind, here are 20 famous historical figures we almost lost.

Francis Godolphin Osbourne Stuart on Wikimedia

1. Milton S. Hershey

Believe it or not, the founder of the Hershey Chocolate Company actually booked a stateroom on board the Titanic and paid a $300 deposit. When he realized he had some pressing issues at his factory, he cut his vacation short and returned to America on another ship named Amerika. The original check he wrote to the White Star Line still exists in the Hershey archives.

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2. J. Pierpont Morgan

Considering he technically owned the Titanic through his International Mercantile Marine Company, you would think J. Pierpont Morgan would've been at the ship's christening. Morgan did board the boat while it was docked in France, but he decided to stay on land at the last minute. He chose to extend his vacation at an exclusive spa and received several massage treatments that ultimately saved his life.

Edward Steichen on Wikimedia

3. Guglielmo Marconi

The inventor of the wireless telegraph won a Nobel Prize for his invaluable contributions at sea. Titanic owners convinced Marconi to board for free, but he decided to stay in Europe so he could catch up on paperwork. He claimed that the offices were more efficient on his alternative ship, the Lusitania.

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4. George Washington Vanderbilt II

A member of the wealthy Vanderbilt family had both his luggage and his servant delivered to the Titanic before sailing day. However, the uncle of Mrs. Vanderbilt received an ominous feeling about the ship and talked him out of sailing. The Vanderbilts canceled their reservations a few hours before boarding.

John Singer Sargent on Wikimedia

5. Robert Wood Johnson

You might recognize this name as the co-founder of Johnson & Johnson. He originally planned on traveling to New York on business, but his travel plans changed at the last minute. Because of a sudden business conflict, he stayed in Europe a few days longer than he had planned, saving him from a dark fate.

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6. Theodore Dreiser

American novelist Theodore Dreiser had planned on traveling back to America from Europe and was very excited to take the largest and most modern ship available. After being persuaded by an English publisher to save money, Dreiser took a smaller boat and missed his chance to ride the Titanic.

Ira L. Hill on Wikimedia

7. John Mott

American evangelist and future Nobel Peace Prize winner John Mott had a reservation on the Titanic. However, he and his fellow traveler turned down the offer after finding cheaper accommodations on a smaller vessel. Upon hearing the news about the sinking, Mott believed a higher power saved him that day.

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8. Edgar Selwyn

Broadway producer Edgar Selwyn and his wife had big plans to travel back to America and discuss upcoming plays. However, he stayed in England to watch the reading of a new play that particularly interested him. This specific change of plans allowed him to survive and further impact the movie business by co-founding Goldwyn Pictures.

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9. Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt

Destined to pass at sea on the RMS Lusitania three years later, millionaire Alfred Vanderbilt narrowly avoided the Titanic disaster. He changed his ticket so late that he was reported missing after the sinking. His mother was relieved after receiving a telegram informing her that he chose not to ride such a "showy" ship.

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10. Frank Seiberling

Goodyear Tire founder Frank Seiberling was meant to have a nice stay in the first-class section during his voyage. However, the businessman canceled his plans at the last minute to prolong his family's European vacation. Had he not decided to spend a few more days sightseeing, he might not be recognized as a captain of industry today.

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11. Lord Pirrie

Lord Pirrie was chairman of Harland and Wolff, the shipyard that built the Titanic. He was expected to sail in first class on her maiden voyage, but suffered from acute prostate problems that confined him to bed. Forced to watch events unfold from Belfast, Lord Pirrie saw his greatest accomplishment sink.

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12. G.W. Vanderbilt's Servant

Although we usually focus on the rich, this man's story is a haunting example of a literal last-minute swap. He was supposed to stay with the Vanderbilt family, but when they canceled, he was told to stay on board to watch their luggage. He became one of the many unsung individuals whose life was lost because he followed his employer's original logistical plans.

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13. Claude Monet

Art enthusiasts have long suspected that French Impressionist painter Claude Monet was asked to sail on the Titanic as a way to exhibit his paintings to American investors. He declined the offer because he was much more interested in completing his work on water lilies in his home garden. Monet spent the night of April 14th painting in Giverny while the unsinkable Titanic slipped beneath the waves.

Nadar on Wikimedia

14. Henry Adams

The great-grandson of President John Quincy Adams was booked to stay in a first-class suite during the Titanic's voyage. However, the elderly historian was told by his doctors that the stressful environment of a large passenger ship would not be good for his health. He postponed his travel plans and lived for many years after the sinking.

George Kendall Warren on Wikimedia

15. John Alden Dix

Governor of New York John Alden Dix was to be one of the high-profile politicians to sail on the RMS Titanic. However, at the last minute, he had to catch an earlier transatlantic vessel due to political pressure in Albany. He likely enjoyed dining in the safety of the Governor's Mansion while reading the news about the Titanic.

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16. J. Bruce Ismay's Wife

RMS Titanic president J. Bruce Ismay survived the sinking and lived his life hated by the public. His wife, Julia, stayed behind in England to take care of their three children. The kids were homesick from school, so Mrs. Ismay remained in England to nurse them back to health.

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17. Rev. J. Stuart Holden

Rev. J. Stuart Holden was prepared to head across the Atlantic to attend a religious convention in America. However, his wife fell ill just before they were to board the Titanic, so he cared for her instead. He never boarded the ship but kept his ticket on display as a reminder of how his plans changed at the last minute.

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18. Norman Craig

British politician Norman Craig bought a ticket to ride the RMS Titanic but decided at the last minute that he didn't want to go. He didn't suffer through any horrifying emergencies or life-threatening injuries; he just didn't feel like sailing that day. To the surprise of all his friends, he showed up at his club unharmed the day after the sinking because he decided to stay in London.

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19. Annie Besant

Activist and famous theosophist Annie Besant frequently traveled between India and Europe and considered taking the Titanic for her next journey. She changed her mind at the last second because the Titanic's arrival in America wouldn't have worked with her speaking engagements in England. Her busy schedule became her lifesaver.

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20. Bertram Fletcher Robinson

Journalist Bertram Fletcher Robinson is credited with inspiring Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to write The Hound of the Baskervilles. He almost got to sail on the RMS Titanic, but missed her departure because he was working on a story. His dedication to meeting his publishing deadline helped him live to see another day.

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