Margaret Tobin “Molly” Brown: Titanic Survivor Pursued Social Reforms

Although Margaret “The Unsinkable Molly” Brown is well known for her heroic efforts in surviving the Titanic disaster, that historic event doesn’t begin to reveal the full measure of who she was or what she accomplished during her fascinating life. And Margaret—the name “Molly” was a Hollywood invention—was the subject of as many myths as Aesop had fables.

The real Margaret Brown is often obscured by her characterization in blockbusters such as “Titanic” and, of course, the Broadway musical. And then there’s the movie, “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.” There was much more to the woman who grew up dirt poor, fell into a fortune through her husband’s hard work, and used her wealth for social causes and education.

She was not attracted to Denver’s “old money,” preferring to use her time and money for the benefit of others. Author Daniel Alef’s biographical profile of Margaret Brown is not hagiography, but one has to look long and hard for any deficiencies in her character or her life.