Famous Last Words
Behan, Brendan (1923-1964)
"Bless you, Sister. May all your sons be bishops."
Brendan Behan was an Irish playwright and known for his especially sardonic
humor, he based many of his works on his experience in the IRA and the
years he spent in spent reform school and prison. He uttered his last
words to a nursing nun who was taking his pulse.
Burbank, Luther (1849-1926)
"I don't feel good."
Luther Burbank was an American horticulturist who developed hundreds
of new fruit, vegetable, and flower varieties.
Lady Nancy Astor (1879-1964)
"Am I dying or is is this my birthday?"
Lady Astor was the first woman member of Parliament. Noted for her biting
wit. She spoke her last words when, on her deathbed, she momentarily
awoke to find herself surrounded by her entire family.
François Rabelais (1483—1553)
"I owe much; I have nothing; the rest I leave to the poor." — French
satirist.
Walter Raleigh (1554—1618)
"I have a long journey to take, and must bid the company farewell." —
English explorer and favourite of Queen Elizabeth I who was beheaded
at the insistance of the Spanish ambassedor by King James I.
Bernard de Fontenelle
(1657—1757)
"I feel nothing, apart from a certain difficulty in continuing
to exist." —
French philosopher. Remark on his deathbed.
John Sedgwick (1813-64),
US general
"Nonsense, they couldn't hit an elephant at this distance." —
In response to a suggestion that he should not show himself over the
parapet during the Battle of the Wilderness in the American Civil war.
Douglas Fairbanks.
"I've never felt better."
Oscar Wilde (1854—1900)
"Either that wallpaper goes, or I do." —
Irish-born British dramatist. As he lay dying in a drab Paris bedroom.
H. G. Wells (1866—1946).
"Go away... I'm alright."
Dylan Thomas (1914-53)
"Seventeen whiskeys. A record, I think." —
Welsh poet.
Terry Kath
"Don't worry it's not loaded." — American
rock musician, while playing Russian Roulette.
Voltaire (1694-1778)
"This is no time to make new enemies."
-when asked on his deathbed to forswear Satan)
Rhodes, Cecil John (1853-1902)
"So little done, so much to do."
Palmerston, Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount (1784-1865)
"Die, my dear Doctor? That's the last thing I shall
do!"
Marx, Karl (1818-1883)
"Go on, get out. Last words are for fools who haven't
said enough."
Errol Flynn, (1909-1959)
"I've had a hell of a lot of fun and I've enjoyed
every minute of it."
(Shortly before death.)
Claudel, Paul (1868-1955)
"Doctor, do you think it could have been the sausage?"
James Dean
"That guy's got to stop... He'll see us." (Before being killed in a car
accident.)
Leo Tolstoy (Russian Writer)
"Even in the valley of the shadow of death, two and two do not make
six." -on
being asked if he wanted a priest.
Saddam Hussein
"Go to Hell" - to those hanging him.