Another famous Hannibal Resident was born on this date—the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown. Born Margaret Tobin on July 18, 1867 she gained the nickname “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” due to her survival of the RMS Titanic disaster in 1912. Coming from a modest background, she was the daughter of Irish immigrants John and Johanna Tobin. Molly grew up in a working-class family and, at the age of 18, moved to Leadville, Colorado, with her siblings in search of better opportunities.
In Leadville, she worked in a department store and soon met James Joseph “J.J.” Brown, a mining engineer. The couple married in 1886 and had two children, Lawrence Palmer Brown and Catherine Ellen Brown. Their fortunes changed dramatically when J.J. discovered a substantial gold seam at the Little Jonny Mine, leading to significant wealth and a move to Denver. Molly became an active socialite and philanthropist, using her newfound wealth to support various causes, including women’s rights, education, and the establishment of the Denver Women’s Club.
Molly’s fame skyrocketed after the Titanic tragedy. She was returning from a trip to Europe when the ship struck an iceberg on April 14, 1912. Despite the chaos, Molly took charge of Lifeboat No. 6, encouraging the women on board to row and advocating for the boat to return to search for survivors. Her bravery and leadership during the disaster earned her the moniker “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.”
Following the Titanic incident, Molly continued her humanitarian efforts, including fundraising for survivors and promoting maritime safety. She ran for the U.S. Senate in 1914, although her campaign was unsuccessful. Throughout her life, Molly Brown remained a larger-than-life figure, renowned for her resilience, generosity, and indomitable spirit. She passed away on October 26, 1932, leaving behind a legacy of courage and compassion that endures to this day.
