Explorers & Adventurers · 19th Century
Emily Dickinson’s Last Words
“I must go in, the fog is rising.”— Emily Dickinson, May 15, 1886
Who Was Emily Dickinson?
Emily Dickinson wrote nearly 1,800 poems, most discovered after her death, that made her one of America's greatest poets. She lived as a recluse in Amherst, Massachusetts.
The Final Moments
Dickinson died at home in Amherst after two years of declining health. She had become increasingly reclusive, dressing only in white and communicating through her bedroom door.
Are These Words Verified?
Reported by her sister Lavinia and later published in family memoirs. Some scholars note these may have been written words rather than spoken last words, but the source is credible.
Sources
- firsthand Letter from Lavinia Dickinson (sister)
- biography Martha Dickinson Bianchi's biography
- archive Amherst Historical Society records
Legacy
Dickinson's unconventional poems with their slant rhymes and dashes anticipated modernist poetry by decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Emily Dickinson’s last words?
“I must go in, the fog is rising.”
How did Emily Dickinson die?
Emily Dickinson died on May 15, 1886 at the age of 55. Cause of death: Bright's disease (kidney disease).
Were Emily Dickinson’s last words documented?
Reported by her sister Lavinia and later published in family memoirs. Some scholars note these may have been written words rather than spoken last words, but the source is credible.
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