Leaders & Politicians · 18th Century
Thomas Jefferson’s Last Words
“Is it the Fourth?”— Thomas Jefferson, July 4, 1826
Who Was Thomas Jefferson?
Thomas Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence and the third President. He founded the University of Virginia and the Library of Congress and orchestrated the Louisiana Purchase.
The Final Moments
Jefferson died exactly 50 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1826. His friend and fellow Founding Father John Adams died the same day. His last question asked about the date.
Are These Words Verified?
Jefferson's grandson Thomas Jefferson Randolph was present at his bedside and provided a firsthand account of these words. Multiple contemporary sources corroborate this account, making it highly credible.
Sources
- firsthand Thomas Jefferson Randolph firsthand account
- biography Henry S. Randall, The Life of Thomas Jefferson (1858)
- newspaper Contemporary newspaper accounts, July 1826
Legacy
Jefferson's phrase 'all men are created equal' has been the most consequential sentence in American history, even as his slave-owning contradicted its ideal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Thomas Jefferson’s last words?
“Is it the Fourth?”
How did Thomas Jefferson die?
Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826 at the age of 83. Cause of death: Toxemia from uremia.
Were Thomas Jefferson’s last words documented?
Jefferson's grandson Thomas Jefferson Randolph was present at his bedside and provided a firsthand account of these words. Multiple contemporary sources corroborate this account, making it highly credible.
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