Musicians & Composers · Early 20th Century
Scott Joplin’s Last Words
“His final words are not recorded.”— Scott Joplin, April 1, 1917
Who Was Scott Joplin?
Scott Joplin was an African American composer and pianist who pioneered ragtime music. His Maple Leaf Rag was the first sheet music to sell a million copies.
The Final Moments
Joplin died at the Manhattan State Hospital in New York. Syphilis had destroyed his mind and body.
Are These Words Verified?
Accurately states no final words were recorded. Joplin died with advanced dementia in a mental hospital; credible sources confirm no deathbed utterance was documented.
Sources
- archive Manhattan State Hospital records
- biography Edward A. Berlin biography 'King of Ragtime'
Legacy
Joplin's ragtime compositions were rediscovered in the 1970s and remain beloved. He received a posthumous Pulitzer Prize in 1976.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Scott Joplin’s last words?
“His final words are not recorded.”
How did Scott Joplin die?
Scott Joplin died on April 1, 1917 at the age of 48. Cause of death: Dementia paralytica from syphilis.
Were Scott Joplin’s last words documented?
Accurately states no final words were recorded. Joplin died with advanced dementia in a mental hospital; credible sources confirm no deathbed utterance was documented.