Edward Charles Dodd was born in Crewe, Cheshire, England in the second quarter of 1873, later being baptised in St Paul's Church, Crewe on 6 July that year.

He was the son of Henry Charles Dodd (b. 1839) and Emma Matilda Whitting (b. 1842). His father, a plumber and painter, was born in Nantwich, Cheshire and was married in Salford to Emma Whitting, a native of Bristol, Gloucestershire in 1863, producing six children. Besides Edward, their other children were: George Henry Whitting (b. 1864), Jane (b. 1867), Fanny (b. 1868), Emma (b. 1877) and James (b. 1879).

Edward first appears on the 1881 census living with his family at 124 West Street in Monks Coppenhall, Crewe, an address he would remain at for the rest of his life. By the time of the 1891 census Edward was described as a steam engine maker fitter's apprentice. He had received his education at Plymouth Grammar School followed by an apprenticeship at the Crewe works of the London & North Western Railway Company. Upon completion of his apprenticeship he joined White Star Line as Sixth Engineer aboard the Celtic in 1904 and served on various White Star ships, including Olympic and he held a first class engineer certificate of competency.

When he signed on to the Titanic, on 6 April 1912, Edward gave his local address as 26 Queen's Parade, (Southampton), the address of Bannister's Hotel. His previous ship had been the Olympic and as Junior 3rd Engineer he could expect to earn monthly wages of £15, 10s.

Edward, who was unmarried and who was also a Freemason, died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

His estate, worth £184, 16s, 1d was administered to his father on 21 October 1912. His elderly parents also benefitted from the Titanic Relief Fund. He is remembered on a memorial tablet in Christ Church, Crewe:

"In Memory of Edward Charles Dodd, Junior 3rd Engineer who perished by the foundering of the Steamship Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean, April 1912. This tablet was erected by the Brethren of the Freemasons' Lodge, Four Cardinal Virtues no 979 Crewe."

Neither of his parents lived long after the death of their son; his mother Emma died in 1914 and his father in 1919.