All -
I was contacted privately (and very kindly) today about a concern that I'd like to address here, since others might also have gotten a wrong impression.
I am sorry if it seemed I was taking advantage of this thread to yet again sing Lucile's praises. I was trying to point out (but may have failed to) that since Lucile actually WAS very famous and influential in her day (unlike Dorothy who was only moderately successful), it's much more surprising that she isn't better remembered by average people. Whereas with Dorothy, it's understandable. So I just don't see the two as being equal examples of "forgotten" personalities.
Of those on Titanic who were truly "top tier" figures in society, politics, industry, literature, theatre, art, fashion, sports, etc., you have, as an example, basically these individuals:
William Thomas Stead
John Jacob Astor
Major Archibald Butt
Francis Millet
Henry B. Harris
Jacques Futrelle
Lucy Duff Gordon
Karl Behr
Molly Brown doesn't make the cut, in my view, because she was not internationally known until after Titanic.
Some might add Straus and Guggenheim but I expect they were lesser known internationally than Astor, for instance.
Of the ones I listed, only Stead, Lucile and Millet are still widely known (in their respective spheres) for their work.
I'm sorry if it seems I'm being smug, but I will add that there was just no other woman aboard Titanic who was as famous (in her own right) as "Lucile," however unimportant some may think the profession of fashion designer is.
That doesn't mean there weren't other women as interesting or more so. I think Dorothy Gibson is fascinating. I'm also intrigued by Helen Churchill Candee and her career. I just don't know as much about them but hope to someday. Then I can bombard the message board with more minutiae on them!
Also some of the most compelling passengers were not celebrities. People like Jack Thayer, Ruth Becker, Annie Funk and Lawrence Beesley (though he is famous now and will be even more so when Pat Cook's book on him hits shelves!),
All my best,
Randy