Archibald Butt: The Presidential Aide Whose Life Ended on
the Titanic
I have been learning about another of the people who were on
board the Titanic, and today I wanted to tell you about Archibald Butt.
In 1895, he became First Secretary at the American embassy
in Mexico. But was drawn by family tradition to the military. He joined the
army during the Spanish-American War. He served as a quartermaster officer and
was sent to the Philippines. He then went on to work in Cuba.
By 1908, he was working in the White House, under Theodore
Roosevelt as his military aide. He continued in the same role under William
Howard Taft. He helped manage official events, and advised them on important
matters. He was unfortunately caught between Roosevelt and Taft when their
friendship broke down. Which must have been rather upsetting.
In 1912, he took some time and travelled to Europe for some much
needed rest. On the 10th of April 1912, he boarded the Titanic to return home.
When the ship sank in the early hours of the 15th of April, Archibald Butt was
among those who tragically died. Many stories were later told about his final
actions, but not all can be confirmed. What is clear is that his death caused
real grief, especially for Taft.
Do you think people like Archibald Butt are often remembered
too much for the way they died, and not enough for the life they lived before
it?
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