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| Abelard,
Peter (1079-1142) |
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"I don't know." |
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Peter Abelard was the most noted
philosopher of
the
first half of the
12th century. He spent many years as a teacher of philosophy and
is credited with establishing the University of Paris. Abelard's
consistently
questioning methods of teaching irritated the Church, and his writings
were banned for much of his life. Abelard is best remembered today for
his
ill-fated
love affair with his student, Heloise, which resulted in his castration
by angry family members. |
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For more information:
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| Adams,
John (1735-1826) |
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"Thomas Jefferson still survives." |
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John Adams represented Massachusetts as a
delegate at
both the first
and second Constitutional Conventions and played a significant role
garnering
European support for the American Revolution. He represented the
United States during peace negotiations with Britain, served as George
Washington's Vice-President, and was elected as the second United
States
President. Following his presidency, he retired to his farm in
Quincy
and began a lengthy correspondence with Thomas Jefferson that would
last
over twenty-five years. Although in his nineties and gravely ill,
he resolved to live until the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration
of
Independence on July 4, 1826. That morning he was awakened by his
servant who inquired if he knew what day it was. "Oh, yes," Adams
replied, "it is the glorious fourth of July. God bless it.
God bless you all." He then lapsed into unconsciousness.
Later
that afternoon, he awakened briefly to mumble "Thomas Jefferson still
surv.
. . ." before dying. Actually, Thomas
Jefferson had died earlier that day. |
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For more
information:
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| Adams,
John Q. (1767-1848) |
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"This is the last of earth! I am
content" |
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John Quincy Adams was the son of John
Adams and
the
sixth President
of the United States. Following his defeat by Andrew Jackson in
1828,
he was elected by his home district to serve as a member of the House
of
Representatives where he tirelessly fought for the abolition of
slavery.
He collapsed on the floor of the House from a stroke in 1848 and was
carried
to the Speaker's Room where he died two days later. |
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John Quincy Adams's last words have also
been
recorded
as "This is
the end of the earth, but I am composed." |
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For more
information:
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| Addison,
Joseph (1672-1719) |
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"See in what peace a Christian can die." |
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Joseph Addison was an English politician
and
member of
a literary clique
that included Jonathon Swift. He was co-author, along with
Richard
Steele, of two famous series of periodical essays, The Tatler
and The Spectator. Addison was preoccupied
with
manners and religion
for much of his life. He summoned his wayward stepson, Lord
Warwick,
while on his deathbed and challenged him with his dying words. |
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Some have suggested that this tale is
inauthentic
as
there is little
evidence that Lord Warwick led anything but a proper life, and rumors
existed
that Addison's death was expedited by a fondness for brandy. |
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For more
information:
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Adolphus, Gustavus II
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"I have enough. Save yourself,
brother" |
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Known as "the Lion of the North," Gustavus
Adolphus led the Swedish Army in victory after victory against the
Danes, Poles, and Russians almost from the day of his accession to the
crown. Once Sweden was finally secure and peace was at hand,
Gustavus turned his attention to south and the Protestants in Germany,
who were being persecuted since counter-Reformation had gained momentum
within the Holy Roman Empire. He entered the Thirty Years War in
support of the German Protestant princes and soon became the leader of
the cause against the Imperial Army of the joint Holy Roman Empire and
the Catholic League. In 1632, the forces met in a horrendous
battle at Lutzen near Leipzig. Although the Protestants won a
major victory, Gustavus was killed. While personally leading a
decisive charge in the fight, he was wounded in the shoulder by an
Imperial sharpshooter. As he and his small group of bodyguards
attempted to retire so the wound could be treated, they became
disoriented and found themselves in no man's land between the
lines. A troop of Imperial cuirassiers discovered them and gave
chase firing their pistols. One bullet struck Gustavus at the
base of his spine and he fell from his saddle. One of his
bodyguards wheeled to face the charging cavalrymen and was promptly cut
down, while another attempted to reseat Gustavus. Realizing the
situation was hopeless, Gustavus encouraged his aide to flee.
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Traditionally, Gustavus's last words have
been recorded more nobly and much more unlikely as "I seal with my
blood my religion and the liberties of Germany." One account of
his death states that when the cuirassiers surrounded Gustavus as he
lay prone on the the ground, they demanded to know who he was. "I
am the King of Sweden," he painfully but proudly declared, and the
soldiers immediately fired their pistols into his head.
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For more
information:
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Alexander the Great (356-323
B.C.)
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"To the strongest." |
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Numerous theories, to include poisoning
and a malarial relapse, have been proposed as the cause of Alexander's
on a June afternoon in the Babylonian palace of King Nebuchadrezzer
II. What is known for certain is that following a banquet and
drinking party hosted by his friend, Medius of Larissa, about a week
before, Alexander fell seriously ill and took to bed. Despite (or
perhaps because of) self-medicating himself with Hellebore, a small
plant that was alternately used as a cure-all and a poison, Alexander's
condition worsened. He lost the ability to move, except for his
right arm, and could barely speak. When it became apparent that
his death was at hand, his generals filed in to pay their last
respects. One of his marshals asked Alexander to whom he wished
to bequeath his empire since he had no acceptable heirs.
Alexander replied "Kratisto" (to the strongest) or "Krat'eroi" (to the
stonger).
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Some scholars
believe that Alexander may have actually said,
"Krater'oi" (to Craterus), one Alexander's favorite and most able
commanders. Regardless, Craterus was assassinated before he
assume
control, Alexander's empire was split into four kingdoms. |
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For more
information:
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| Allen,
Ethan (1738-1789) |
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"Waiting are they? Waiting are
they?
Well--let 'em wait." |
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Ethan Allen was a U.S. patriot and leader
of the
Green
Mountain Boys
during the American Revolution. Allen's last words were a
deathbed
response to an attending doctor who attempted to comfort him by saying,
"General, I fear the angels are waiting for you." |
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For more
information:
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| Antoinette,
Marie, Queen of France (1755-1793) |
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"Pardonnez-moi,
monsieur." |
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Marie Antoinette was the wife of King
Louis
XVI.
She was convicted
of treason following the Revolution and sentenced to death by
beheading.
As she approached the guillotine, she accidentally stepped on the foot
of her executioner. |
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For more
information:
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| Archimedes
of Syracuse (298-212 B.C.) |
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"Wait 'till I have finished my problem!" |
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Archimedes was the leading mathematician
of the
Hellenistic Age.
During the Second Punic War after Syracuse sided with Carthage, it was
besieged by the Roman army under the command of Marcellus. For
two
years, between 214 and 212 B.C., the city fought off the Romans using
many
war engines invented by Archimedes including catapults and flame
throwers.
Syracuse eventually fell through internal treachery and, during the
sack
of the city, Archimedes was captured and killed by a Roman soldier. |
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Archimedes last words have also been
recorded as
"Don't
disturb my
circles!" and "Stand away, fellow, from my diagram. . . .
Somebody
give me one of my engines." |
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For more
information:
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| Aretino,
Pietro (1492-1556) |
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"Now I'm oiled. Keep me from the
rats." |
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Pietro Aretino was an Italian satirist and
is often considered the father of pornographic writing. He was
known as
the "Scourge
of Princes" for his bitingly witty attacks on the aristocracy.
When
his good friend, the painter Titian, came to him with a problem,
Aretino
was quick to offer assistance. The Duke of Urbino had
commissioned
Titian to paint a nude portrait of his old and ugly wife. As
Titian
feared the consequences, Aretino hired a beautifully proportioned
prostitute
to pose for the body and urged Titian to paint a flattering portrait of
the duchess for the head. The duchess was extremely pleased with
the result, which Titain had named The Venus of Urbino. When
the
pair of friends presented the painting to the duke, he turned to
Aretino
and sighed, "If I could have had that girl's body, even with my wife's
head, I would have been a happier man." Aretino found the remark
so exceedingly funny that he collapsed in a fit of laughter that
provoked
a stroke. Aretino was unconscious by the time a priest was
brought
to administer the last rites. No sooner had the priest finished,
when Aretino opened his eyes, spoke his final two sentences, and
expired. |
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For more
information:
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| Astor,
John Jacob, IV (1864-1912) |
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"The ladies have to go first. . .
. Get
in the
lifeboat, to
please me. . . . Good-bye, dearie. I'll see you later." |
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At the turn of the century, John Jacob
Astor was
the
richest man in
the world, owning over 700 prime Manhattan properties and serving as
chairman
for more than 20 different companies. After divorcing his wife of
many years, Astor married an 18 year old acquaintance, Madeline.
To escape the resulting scandal, the Astors took a two year holiday in
Egypt and Europe. When Madeline became pregnant while in England,
the couple booked return passage to New York on the gigantic,
ill-fated,
new luxury liner, Titanic. After the ship struck its famous iceberg,
the
Astors were ushered to one of the last lifeboats. As Astor
started
to enter, he noticed an approaching female passenger. Turning to
Madeline, he explained that he must give up his seat, and bid her
farewell.
John Jacob Astor did not rejoin Madeline in New York for the birth of
their
son; he died, along with 1500 other passengers, when the ship sank. |
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For more information:
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| Astor,
Lady Nancy Witcher Langhorne (1879-1964) |
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"Am I dying or is is this my birthday?" |
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Lady Astor was the first woman member of
Parliament. Noted for
her biting wit, she occasionally got into verbal spats with Winston
Churchill.
She spoke her last words when, on her deathbed, she momentarily awoke
to
find herself surrounded by her entire family.
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| Azeglio,
Massimo Taparelli (1798-1866) |
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"Ah, Luisa, you always arrive just as I
am
leaving." |
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The Marchese d'Azeglio was an Italian
statesman
and
writer of historical
novels. He was a leader of the Risorgimento and served as the premier
of
Sardinia between 1849 and 1852. Although in 1866 Azeglio had been
separated from his wife, Luisa, for some time, when she heard he was
dying
she rushed to be with him. Just as she arrived at his bedside,
Azeglio
died.
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