Final answer:
J. Bruce Ismay, the managing director of the White Star Line, faced criticism and controversy after surviving the Titanic disaster. He was accused of cowardice and was heavily criticized for his actions before and after the sinking. Ismay continued to work in the shipping industry but retreated from the public eye.
Step-by-step explanation:
After the Titanic disaster, J. Bruce Ismay, the managing director of the White Star Line, faced criticism and controversy. Ismay survived the sinking of the ship by boarding a lifeboat, which led to accusations of cowardice. He was labeled as one of the 'Rats of the Titanic' by the press and was heavily criticized for allegedly encouraging the crew to speed up the ship despite the ice warnings. Ismay continued to work in the shipping industry but took a step back from public life.