Artists & Writers · Early 20th Century
Gertrude Stein’s Last Words
“What is the answer?... In that case, what is the question?”— Gertrude Stein, July 27, 1946
Who Was Gertrude Stein?
Gertrude Stein was an American experimental writer and art collector who was the center of the Paris literary world in the 1920s. She coined the phrase 'the Lost Generation.'
The Final Moments
Stein was being taken to surgery for stomach cancer. She reportedly posed this question to her partner Alice B. Toklas just before losing consciousness.
Are These Words Verified?
Alice B. Toklas, Stein's life partner who was present at her death, recounted these words in her memoir. This is a firsthand account from someone at the bedside.
Sources
- firsthand Toklas, Alice B. What Is Remembered
- archive Burns, Edward. Letters of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas
Legacy
Stein's Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas and her literary salon that nurtured Hemingway, Picasso, and Matisse define her legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Gertrude Stein’s last words?
“What is the answer?... In that case, what is the question?”
How did Gertrude Stein die?
Gertrude Stein died on July 27, 1946 at the age of 72. Cause of death: Stomach cancer, complications from surgery.
Were Gertrude Stein’s last words documented?
Alice B. Toklas, Stein's life partner who was present at her death, recounted these words in her memoir. This is a firsthand account from someone at the bedside.
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