Artists & Writers · 19th Century
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Last Words
“Unknown — he died in his sleep.”— Nathaniel Hawthorne, May 19, 1864
Who Was Nathaniel Hawthorne?
Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables, exploring themes of sin, guilt, and Puritan New England. He was part of the Transcendentalist movement.
The Final Moments
Hawthorne died in his sleep at Plymouth, New Hampshire, while on a trip with his friend Franklin Pierce, the former president. He had been in declining health for months.
Are These Words Verified?
Franklin Pierce, traveling companion and former president, found Hawthorne dead in bed the next morning. Primary sources including Pierce's letters confirm Hawthorne died peacefully in his sleep without last words.
Sources
- firsthand Franklin Pierce's account
- archive Contemporary letters
- biography Brenda Wineapple's Hawthorne: A Life
Legacy
The Scarlet Letter remains a cornerstone of American literature and one of the most read novels in American high schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Nathaniel Hawthorne’s last words?
“Unknown — he died in his sleep.”
How did Nathaniel Hawthorne die?
Nathaniel Hawthorne died on May 19, 1864 at the age of 59. Cause of death: Unknown (possibly cancer).
Were Nathaniel Hawthorne’s last words documented?
Franklin Pierce, traveling companion and former president, found Hawthorne dead in bed the next morning. Primary sources including Pierce's letters confirm Hawthorne died peacefully in his sleep without last words.
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