Benjamin Guggenheim

Benjamin Guggenheim was born October 26, 1865, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the fifth of seven sons, to Meyer Guggenheim, a businessman who later became a mining magnate, and Barbara "Babette" Guggenheim (née Meyer; 1834–1900), both being originally from Lengnau, Aargau, Switzerland, having emigrated to Philadelphia in 1847. He was of Swiss Jewish descent with his ancestry deeply rooted in the villages of Lengnau and Endingen, Aargau. His paternal grandfather, Simon Meyer Guggenheim (1792–1869), a tailor by trade, wanted to marry for a second time, which was not permitted by Swiss authorities as they ruled the family being too poor. That was the ultimate reason for emigration. Benjamin was the first member of his family to enter an institute of higher learning-he entered Columbia College in 1882, matriculating with the class of 1887. However, he found most of his courses boring and dropped out after his second year. He also attended the Peirce School of Business (now Peirce College), then one of the most prominent business schools in the country. == Personal life ==

In 1894, Guggenheim married Florette Seligman (1870–1937), daughter of James Seligman, a senior partner in the firm J. & W. Seligman & Co., and Rosa Seligman (née Content). Her family originated in Baiersdorf, Germany. Together, they had three daughters: • Benita Rosalind Guggenheim (1895–1927) • Marguerite "Peggy" Guggenheim (1898–1979) • Barbara Hazel Guggenheim (1903–1995). Guggenheim inherited a great deal of money from his mother. Due to business concerns, he grew distant from his wife and was frequently away from their New York City home. He maintained an apartment in Paris, France. ==Titanic==

Guggenheim boarded the and was accompanied by his mistress, a French singer named Léontine Aubart (1887–1964); his secretary, Victor Giglio (1888–1912); his chauffeur, René Pernot (1872–1912); and Madame Aubart's maid, Emma Sägesser (1887–1964). His ticket was number 17593 and cost £79 4s (other sources give the price as £56 18s 7d). He and Giglio occupied stateroom cabin B84 while Aubart and Sägesser occupied cabin B35. Pernot occupied an unknown cabin in second class. Etches later testified that Guggenheim and his valet went from lifeboat to lifeboat ensuring the women and children were safely aboard and that the two were of great assistance to the officers. Guggenheim ultimately realised that the situation was much more serious than he had implied. Sometime after arriving on deck, Etches saw Guggenheim and Giglio; they were dressed in their evening clothes and had taken off their sweaters and lifebelts. Guggenheim explained, "We've dressed up in our best and are prepared to go down like gentlemen." Etches, who survived the sinking, recorded Guggenheim's message to give to his wife: "If anything should happen to me, tell my wife in New York that I've done my best in doing my duty." Etches next watched Guggenheim and Giglio pass from Boats Nos. 7 and 5, "helping the women and children". Guggenheim shouted repeatedly, "Women first" and the two men were of "great assistance" to the officers. Another steward reportedly said Guggenheim sent another message to his wife, asking to tell her "that I played the game straight to the end and that no woman was left on board this ship because Ben Guggenheim was a coward. Tell her that my last thoughts will be of her and our girls". The steward said Guggenheim "lit a cigar and sauntered up to the boat deck to help load the lifeboats." As Aubart and Sägesser reluctantly entered Lifeboat No. 9, Guggenheim reportedly was on the deck nearby and spoke in German, "We will soon see each other again! It's just a repair. Tomorrow the Titanic will go on again." Etches reported that "shortly after the last few boats were lowered and I was ordered by the deck officer to man an oar, I waved good-bye to Mr. Guggenheim, and that was the last I saw of him and [Giglio]." Guggenheim and Giglio, as well as Guggenheim's chauffeur Pernot, died in the sinking. Their bodies were never recovered. ==Legacy==

Guggenheim's family, including his brother Robert, had been hoping for news of their loved one, whom the press had reported was among the missing prior to the Carpathia's arrival in New York. The news Guggenheim had died was confirmed by a wireless dispatch sent from the ship and received on April 18, 1912. After relating how Guggenheim was one of his charges during the voyage, Etches told them about Guggenheim's actions and the final favour asked of him. Etches, producing the note and handing it to the widow, reported: "That's all he said, there wasn't time for more." The family were very grateful for the news and visit. Portrayals On screen, Guggenheim has been portrayed by: • Camillo Guercio (1953) (Titanic) • Victor Thorley (1956) (Kraft Television Theatre; A Night to Remember) • Harold Goldblatt (1958) (A Night to Remember) (British film) • John Moffatt (1979) (S.O.S. Titanic; TV Movie) • Joseph Kolinski (1997) (Titanic; Broadway Musical) • Michael Ensign (1997) (Titanic) • David Eisner (2012) (Titanic; TV series/3 episodes) ==References==

• Encyclopedia Titanica Biography of Benjamin Guggenheim • Benjamin Guggenheim on Titanic-Titanic.com • Encyclopedia Titanica Biography of Emma Sägesser • Titanic: Triumph and Tragedy, by John P. Eaton and Charles A. Haas, W.W. Newton & Company, 2nd edition 1995 • A Night to Remember, by Walter Lord, ed. Nathaniel Hilbreck, Owl Books, rep. 2004,