December 31st, 1877 - February 14th, 1967

He is a Capricorn.

Lawrence Beesley was born in Wirksworth, Derbyshire to Henry Beesley (bank manager) and his wife Annie Maria. He was married in 1901 to Gertrude Cecile "Cissie" Macbeth. A son, Alec Macbeth Beesley, was born on October 6th, 1903. Lawrence was educated first at Derby School, where he took a scholarship and afterwards at Caius College, Cambridge, he was a scholar and a prizeman. In 1903, he took a "First Class" in the National Science Tripos. Then in 1904, after having 2 years experience in teaching at Wirksworth Grammar School, he moved to Dulwich College where he worked as a science master.

Gertrude died in 1906 due to a long-standing respiratory disease. According to contemporary reports he had resigned his position to go for a holiday in the States, and to visit his brother in Toronto.

Aboard Titanic/April 14th-15th, 1912:
Lawrence boarded the RMS Titanic on April 10th, 1912 at Southampton as a 2nd class passenger. Lawrence had been in his cabin (D-56) reading when the collision occurred, he only noticed a slight heave of the engines and the regular dancing movement on his mattress to stop. Lawrence stopped a steward to ask what had happened but was advised that it was nothing. He went up to A-Deck where the boats were being loaded but then decided to return to his cabin, as he did he noticed a strange sensation as he descended the stairs, the stairs seemed to be level but his feet didn't fall quite where they should. He donned his Norfolk jacket, stuffed some books into his pockets and then headed back up to A-Deck.

The list was worst when Lawrence returned to A-Deck but he found that men were now being allowed to board lifeboat 13 which had been lowered to the level of the windows of the enclosed screen, he boarded the boat which finally lowered away at 1:25 AM with 64 people aboard. As the boat descended it came perilously close to an outfall which was discharging water a tremendous rate. Only the shouts is the boats occupants prevented them from being flooded. Quick question was also needed when they eventually reached the water, they were unable to cut the falls and drifted under the path of lifeboat 15 which had started to descend, again the occupants of lifeboat 13 shouted to those on deck and the descent of lifeboat 15 was halted. The falls of lifeboat 13 were eventually out and the boat drifted away from the ship. Lawrence watched as the Titanic sank deeper, he observed the lights blink and then go out for good.

After the ship was gone he tried to comfort a crying baby by tucking a blanket under its toes, he discovered that he and the lady holding the baby had mutual friends in Clomel, Ireland. At 4:44 AM, lifeboat 13 tied up alongside the RMS Carpathia and Lawrence was soon aboard, relieved to feel a solid deck beneath his feet once again. 

After The Sinking/Later Life/Death:
After the rescue, Lawrence wrote a successful book, The Lost of the SS Titanic, about his experience. In 1919, he remarried Muriel "Mollie" Greenwood (née Brownjohn) and had a further 3 sons.

He later became the headmaster of Normandale preparatory school in Bexhill. Lawrence attended the filming of A Night To Remember and famously attempted to remain on the ship as the sinking scenes were filmed. He died on February 14th, 1967 at the age of 89. His son, Alec married Dodie Smith, the author of One Hundred and One Dalmatians. Lawrence siblings were: Frederick Arnold, Ernest Edith Anne, Lewis Henry , Cyril James, and Arthur Campbell.

Portrayals:
David Warner (S.O.S Titanic; 1979: Warner went on to play Spicer Lovejoy in James Cameron's Titanic)

Lawrence Bennett (Titanic; 1999 Musical)

Sources:
www.encyclopedia-titanica.org
Titanic Wiki

Rest In Peace Lawrence Beesley.