The Unsinkable Molly Brown
From Poverty Striken Roots to Titanic Passenger to National Fame
Nov 9, 2008
Margaret Tobin did not begin life to end up as a world-traveling, philanthropic adventure woman, but the world knows her today as The Unsinkable Molly Brown. The life of this woman is intriguing and dramatic.
Born in Hannibal, Missouri in July 1867, Margaret Tobin was the daughter of Irish immigrants John and Johanna Tobin. The Tobins were progressive and promoted their children to receive an education. Molly enjoyed a considerable education for a girl of her social standing before beginning work in a factory at the age of thirteen.
Molly Brown goes to Leadville, Colorado
In 1884, Molly followed her brother, Daniel to the mining town of Leadville, Colorado where she began work at a local department store. While in Leadville, she became active in the Irish Catholic community and participated in many charitable activities, including soup kitchens.
It was in Leadville that she met silver mine manager James J. “J.J.” Brown. They married on September 1, 1886. The bride was barely nineteen; the groom, thirty-one. 1893 brought the Silver Crash and a year later, J.J. made the fortuitous discovery of gold at the Little Johnny Mine. As payment for his find, the company, Ibex Mining Company, rewarded J.J. with a large amount of stock and the Browns were now millionaires.
Molly Brown moves to Denver, Colorado
The Browns moved to Denver and attempted to join high society. Molly worked with others of the Progressive movement to create green spaces within Denver and improve other parts of the city. So devoted to her cause was Molly, that in 1901, she attempted to run for the state senate, though she ended up withdrawing from the race prior to the election.
After twenty-three years of marriage, J.J. and Molly signed a separation agreement, though did not divorce. He left her with their home in Denver and continued to pay her $700 a month so that she could continue her life of philanthropy and travel.
The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Passenger on the Titanic
Molly Brown is most noted for her journey aboard the doomed ship Titanic which sank in 1912. Aboard Lifeboat #6, filled to less than half capacity, Molly directed the women to paddle through the night. Once aboard the rescue ship Carpathia, Molly used her knowledge of world languages to help comfort and nurse those survivors who did not speak English.
Upon landing in New York, reporters asked her why she believed that she had survived. Her answer was simple: “Typical Brown luck. We’re unsinkable.” Thus her nickname The Unsinkable Molly Brown was born.
Molly spent the rest of her life in Rhode Island, became friends with women's rights activists and rubbed elbows with the wealthiest of American families. When World War I broke out, she dedicated her focus to relief activities.
The Unsinkable Molly Brown died in 1932 at the Barbizon Hotel in her sleep, leaving behind an unforgetable story.
