Philip Albright Small Franklin (1 February 1871 – 14 August 1939) was president and chairman of International Mercantile Marine Company (IMM) from 1916 to 1936.

At the time of the Titanic disaster on April 15, 1912, Franklin was in charge of the White Star Line office and terminus affairs at IMM headquarters in New York City.

At the time of the Titanic disaster on April 15, 1912, Franklin was in charge of the White Star Line office and terminus affairs at IMM headquarters in New York City.

Later, at about 11:30, he insisted, "We hope that reports from the Virginian and the Parisian will prove to be true, and that they will turn up with some of the passengers..." (Other than those already aboard the Cunard liner Carpathia) But, by midnight, Franklin admitted the seriousness of the situation, saying in a statement, "I thought her unsinkable, and I based my opinion on the best expert advice.

The comments were widely reported in the press with Cunard White Star responding that they "were rather interested in the remark attributed to Franklin that the ship is in his opinion the finest afloat" and "might not be averse to disposing of her to Mr Franklin and obtaining from him the very high price he would no doubt be desirous of paying" But such a deal did not come to pass.