Michael McCaughan is the former Head of Transport, National Museums Northern Ireland. As a curator at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum for over forty years, his research has focused mainly on the study and interpretation of Irish maritime history and traditions. He has published widely and is recognised internationally for his expertise and pioneering work on the history and culture of Harland & Wolff, the White Star line and theTitanic.

Michael is the author of the groundbreaking book, The Birth of the Titanic (Blackstaff Press, 1998) and Titanic: Icon of an Age (2012).