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Edgar Britten

1874 – 1936

Cunard captain, captain of Queen Mary

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About Edgar Britten

Lived 1874 – 1936 (aged 61–62).

Sir Edgar Britten KB RD RNR (1874 – October 28, 1936) was a Cunard Line captain remembered primarily for being the first captain of the ocean liner in 1936.

Born in Bradford, England, he began his career as a cabin boy. He had started with Cunard in 1901 and over the years rose in rank and eventually commanded well-known company vessels such as , , and . In New York on the Queen Mary maiden voyage, Britten was interviewed by the newsreels and for posterity he was recorded on sound film giving his opinion on the details of the ship.

Death In October 1936, Britten died in hospital in Southampton after being found unconscious in his cabin onboard the several hours prior to the ship's departure to New York. He was later buried at sea.

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Important facts

Born
1874, Bradford
Birth century
Also known as
Edgar Theophilus Britten

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Edgar Britten's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Edgar Britten?

Cunard captain, captain of Queen Mary

When was Edgar Britten born?

Edgar Britten was born in 1874 in Bradford.

When did Edgar Britten die?

Edgar Britten died on 28 October 1936 in Southampton.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Edgar Britten

· Wikidata: Q64770458

· DBpedia: Edgar Britten

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Edgar Britten. https://biography.guide/edgar-britten/

MLA: "Edgar Britten." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/edgar-britten/.

Chicago: "Edgar Britten." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/edgar-britten/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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