Artists & Writers · 19th Century
Henry David Thoreau’s Last Words
“Moose... Indian.”— Henry David Thoreau, May 6, 1862
Who Was Henry David Thoreau?
Henry David Thoreau wrote Walden and Civil Disobedience, which influenced environmental thought and nonviolent resistance worldwide. He lived deliberately, simplifying his life to its essentials.
The Final Moments
Thoreau died of tuberculosis in Concord, Massachusetts. His final words were fragments from a nature manuscript he had been working on. When asked if he had made his peace with God, he replied 'I did not know that we had quarreled.'
Are These Words Verified?
Multiple family members and friends were present during Thoreau's final illness and recorded his words in letters and journals written immediately after his death. The accounts are consistent and well-documented.
Sources
- firsthand Edward Emerson's eyewitness account
- firsthand Family members' letters
- biography Walter Harding's The Days of Henry Thoreau
Legacy
Thoreau's Civil Disobedience influenced Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and nonviolent movements worldwide. Walden remains a touchstone of environmental literature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Henry David Thoreau’s last words?
“Moose... Indian.”
How did Henry David Thoreau die?
Henry David Thoreau died on May 6, 1862 at the age of 44. Cause of death: Tuberculosis.
Were Henry David Thoreau’s last words documented?
Multiple family members and friends were present during Thoreau's final illness and recorded his words in letters and journals written immediately after his death. The accounts are consistent and well-documented.
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