Edgar Britten
Cunard captain, captain of Queen Mary
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.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
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
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.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:19 UTC