Artists & Writers · 18th Century
Jonathan Swift’s Last Words
“I am what I am, I am what I am.”— Jonathan Swift, October 19, 1745
Who Was Jonathan Swift?
Jonathan Swift was an Anglo-Irish satirist, essayist, and clergyman best known for Gulliver's Travels and A Modest Proposal, his savage satire suggesting the Irish poor sell their children as food.
The Final Moments
Swift spent his final years mentally incapacitated. He had suffered a stroke and was largely unresponsive.
Are These Words Verified?
Highly questionable given Swift's severe dementia and largely catatonic state in final years. Various versions exist; likely reconstructed or apocryphal rather than actual utterance.
Sources
- biography Thomas Sheridan 'Life of Swift'
- other John Hawkesworth account
Legacy
Gulliver's Travels is one of the greatest satires ever written. A Modest Proposal is the template for political satire.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Jonathan Swift’s last words?
“I am what I am, I am what I am.”
How did Jonathan Swift die?
Jonathan Swift died on October 19, 1745 at the age of 77. Cause of death: Dementia following a stroke.
Were Jonathan Swift’s last words documented?
Highly questionable given Swift's severe dementia and largely catatonic state in final years. Various versions exist; likely reconstructed or apocryphal rather than actual utterance.
More from Artists & Writers
See all →
Oscar Wilde
“Either that wallpaper goes, or I do.”
Socrates
“Crito, we owe a cock to Asclepius. Please, don't forget to pay the debt.”
Mark Twain
“Goodbye. If we meet—”
Salvador Dalí
“Where is my clock?”