Encyclopedia Titanica

John Harper

John Harper
John Harper

Reverend John Harper, a baptist minister travelled with his daughter Nina Harper and Miss Jessie Leitch from London en route to Chicago. Rev Harper was on his way to Chicago to begin a series of revival meetings at the Moody church located on West Chicago and La Salle Avenue. He had been at the church during November, December and January of 1911/12 and his success there resulted in his being recalled to conduct a second series of meetings.

On the evening of April 14 the Reverend Harper and Miss Leitch were standing on deck admiring the sunset. "it will be beautiful in the morning," remarked rev Harper before retiring for the night. After the collision, Harper awakened his daughter, picked her up and wrapped her in a blanket before carrying her up to A deck. There he kissed her goodbye and handed her to a crewman, who put her into lifeboat 11 with Miss Leitch. Rev Harper went down with the ship.

A well-known photograph of the second class promenade, in which a young girl is seen holding her father's hand, is believed by many to show young Nina Harper and her father.

References and Sources

Unidentified Encyclopedia, 1982, Extracts
Memorial Service Programme Notes

Newspaper Articles

Aguilla Webb Unidentified Encyclopædia John Harper
New York Times (17 April 1912) Lost Two In Iroquois Fire
Chicago Record-Herald (17 April 1912) Preacher En-route Here
Chicago Tribune (21 April 1912) Jessie Leitch's Story
Chicago Tribune (22 April 1912) Hold Memorial For The Titanic
Unidentified Newspaper (23 April 1912) Tribute Paid To John Harper Lost On The Titanic
The Times (24 April 1912) Requiem Mass At Westminster Cathedral
Unidentified Newspaper (26 April 1912) Baptist Minister Drowned

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Documents and Certificates

Letters and Diaries

Miscellaneous

Graves and Memorials

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In the Titanic Store

Tracy Leininger (2003) Nothing Can Separate Us, ‎ His Seasons (1 Aug. 2003)
Moody Adams (2012) The Titanic's Last Hero, ‎ Ambassador International (1 Feb. 2012)

Credits

Günter Bäbler, Switzerland
Marie Dezort, USA

Comment and discuss

  1. Rick Beaver

    Read "The Titanic's Last Hero" by Moody Adams for an account of Mr. Harper's life and his bravery on the Titanic! Great book!
    : Reply

  2. Immanuel John Samuel

    That is true GOD LOVE. still God search that kind people, were we are?
    : Reply

  3. Kas

    My grandmother was Mellie Harper,she was my mother's mother.Reverend Harper was our relative(I can't recall what relation,)but will ask mom who lives across the street from me and is 88 years old.
    : Reply

  4. christina gilpin

    Was watching a video from a pastor. And heard something I havent heard yet. Anyone else here this that At Rev. Harpers Funeral A survivor spoke up saying that in the frigid waters of the atlantic on a piece of wreckage he heard a voice calling out. And the survivor swam towards the voice who turned out to be Rev. John Harper. The Rev. asked if he was saved. And he said no And Rev. Harper asked him to pray the sinners prayer with him before slipping away into the ocean to his death.
    : Reply

  5. Michael H. Standart

    I'd the pastor to show a primary source for that one. While something like this would not be completely out of place given the evengelical bent of some Protestant denominations, this particular story sounds apocryphal.
    : Reply

  6. christina gilpin

    Not entirely sure just saw it on a video so was curious if there was any background on the story. Being a christian i was curious. I dont think i quoted story exact but i came as close as i could the video was going quick
    : Reply

  7. Dave Gittins

    The story is fairly well known to Titanic fans. In my opinion, it's a pious invention. To meet the requirements of the full version, we must find a surviving passenger who was young, Scottish and was hauled from the water into a lifeboat. We know the names of the few people who were pulled from the water. No young Scot! Never mind the improbability of the reported conversation in freezing water. I'll charitably suggest that a preacher invented the tale in the form of a parable to show that it's never too late to repent. It was repeated later as fact. I wonder when the tale first appeared.
    : Reply

  8. Michael H. Standart

    >>I'll charitably suggest that a preacher invented the tale in the form of a parable to show that it's never too late to repent. It was repeated later as fact. I wonder when the tale first appeared.
    : Reply

  9. christina gilpin

    Thankyou so much both of you for your responses. Im fairly new to the titanic research though been interested in titanic for a long time. So having you guys here is a big help.
    : Reply

  10. Dave Gittins

    The testimony of the young Scot was said to be given four years after the sinking at a memorial gathering in Canada. I'm wondering when it was first reported.
    : Reply

  11. christina gilpin

    Not sure thats what the pastor said a memorial but beyond that dont know. I just found it interesting that if true how much faith he had to spread what he believed all the way up to his last breath.
    : Reply

  12. Michael H. Standart

    >>I just found it interesting that if true how much faith he had to spread what he believed all the way up to his last breath.
    : Reply

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Titanic Passenger Summary

Name: Rev. John Harper
Age: 39 years 10 months and 17 days (Male)
Nationality: Scottish
Last Residence: at 3 Claude Villas, Denmark Hill London, England
Occupation: Priest / Minister
Embarked: Southampton on Wednesday 10th April 1912
Ticket No. 248727, £33
Died in the Titanic disaster (15th April 1912)
Body Not Identified

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