John Jacob Astor IV, Alongside His Wife, Madeleine Force Astor, Taking Their Dog for a Walk, ca. 1912

John Jacob Astor IV (July 13, 1864 – April 15, 1912) was an American business magnate, real estate developer, investor, writer, lieutenant colonel in the Spanish–American War, and a prominent member of the Astor family. He was among the most prominent American passengers aboard RMS Titanic and perished along with 1,510 others when the ship sank on her maiden voyage.

The Titanic’s tragic sinking claimed the life of John Jacob Astor IV, a man whose vast fortune, sufficient to construct 30 ships the size of the Titanic, became irrelevant in the face of imminent danger. Instead, he made a moral choice, relinquishing his place on a lifeboat to ensure the safety of two terrified children.

Similarly, Isidor Straus, co-owner of the prominent American department store chain, Macy’s, also aboard the Titanic, declared his refusal to board a lifeboat before other men. His wife, Ida Straus, echoed his sentiment, declining her allocated lifeboat seat and offering it to their newly employed maid, Ellen Bird. She chose to remain with her husband, sharing his final moments.

These affluent individuals, confronted with their mortality, prioritized their ethical convictions over their considerable wealth and even their own lives. Their unwavering adherence to moral values stands as a testament to the nobility of human civilization and the inherent dignity of human character.