| 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. He is best remembered today for his ill-fated
love affair with Heloise. |
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For more information:
Peter
Abelard: Historia Calamitatum (The Story of My Misfortunes) |
 |
Recommended readings:
The
Letters of Abelard and Heloise by Pierre Abailard and Betty Radice
Heloise
and Abelard by Etinne Gilson |
| 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. |
|
For more information:
John
Adams
Jefferson
and Adams: A Lifetime of Letters |
|
Recommended readings:
The
Adams-Jefferson Letters : The Complete Correspondence by Lester
J. Cappon
Adams
and Jefferson : A Revolutionary Dialogue by Merrill D. Peterson |
| 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:
John
Quincy Adams |
|
Recommended readings:
John
Quincy Adams by Lynn Hudson Parsons
Arguing
About Slavery : John Quincy Adams and the Great Battle in the United States
Congress by William Lee Miller |
| 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:
Addison,
Joseph |
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Recommended reading:
Selections
from the Tatler and the Spectator by Richard Steele, Joseph Addison,
and Angus Ross |
| 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:
Archimedes |
|
Recommended reading:
Archimedes
and the Door to Science by Jeanne Bendick and Laura M. Berquist |
| 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 who 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:
A Portrait of Aretino
by Titian
The Venus of Urbino
by Titian |
|
Recommended readings:
Titian's
Portraits Through Aretino's Lens by Luba Freedman
Aretino's
Dialogues by Pietro Aretino |
| Astor,
John Jacob, IV (1864-1912) |
|
"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:
Mrs.
John Jacob Astor
VNP
Titanic Exhibit |
|
Recommended reading:
A
Night to Remember by Walter Lord
The
Discovery of the Titanic by Robert D. Ballard |
 |
Recommended viewing:
Titanic,
the A&E video |
| 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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For more information:
Lady Nancy Astor
Quotes |
| 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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