Samuel Herman was born in Galhampton, Somerset, England in the Spring of 1862.

He was the son of George Herman (1825-1904), an agricultural labourer, and Sarah Biggin (1835-1906), both Somerset natives who had married in 1854. His known siblings were: James (b. 1854), Anna (b. 1857), Emily (b. 1865), Elizabeth (b. 1868), George (b. 1871) and Sarah (b. 1875).

Samuel appears on the 1871 census living with his family at an unspecified address in Galhampton. His neighbours at the time were a family called the Lavers who it could be surmised would be related to his future wife. By the time of the 1881 census Samuel and his family were still residing in Galhampton and he was described as an agricultural labourer. He would later work as a butcher.

He was married in early 1887 to Jane Laver (b. 1861), a Somerset resident, and the couple had only two children, twin girls Kate and Alice who were born on 6 December 1887. The family appear on the 1891 and 1901 censuses living at 4 Abbey Cottages, Castle Cary, Somerset and on the 1911 census at Smallways, Galhampton, Castle Cary where by now Samuel was described as a farmer. For several years Samuel was the proprietor of the Britannia Hotel in Castle Cary. One of his employees, a 14-year-old George Sweet, later became a surrogate son to the Hermans.

Although a financially comfortable family, the past year had saw a slump in their fortunes in England and it was decided that they would emigrate. Originally booked aboard a different ship, they cancelled their voyage to allow more time to prepare. Mr Herman, his wife and daughters and George Sweet boarded the Titanic at Southampton as second class passengers (ticket number 220845 which cost £65) and were bound for his brother-in-law Arthur Laver who was living in Bernardsville, New Jersey where he worked as a steward of the Somerset Hill Country Club.

On the night of the sinking Mrs Herman and her daughters were in bed when the collision occurred but reported not much of a shock. Mr Herman, who had been on deck, returned to the cabin and told her not to fear and to stay in bed as it was bitterly cold. He went to investigate and soon returned, ordering his wife and daughters to dress. He escorted his wife and daughters to the boat deck where he saw them off in one of the aft starboard lifeboats. He and George Sweet remained behind.

Samuel Herman, alongside George Sweet, was lost in the sinking and their bodies, if recovered, were never identified.

His estate, worth £266, 6s, 4d, was administered to his widow and brother-in-law Charles Laver on 7 September 1912.