Artists & Writers · 19th Century
Ambrose Bierce’s Last Words
“As to me, I leave here tomorrow for an unknown destination.”— Ambrose Bierce, c. January 1914
Who Was Ambrose Bierce?
Ambrose Bierce was an American journalist and satirist best known for The Devil's Dictionary and his Civil War stories. He disappeared in Mexico in 1914.
The Final Moments
Bierce wrote this letter shortly before disappearing in Mexico while covering the Mexican Revolution. He was never seen or heard from again.
Are These Words Verified?
This is from Bierce's last known letter dated December 26, 1913, to his secretary Blanche Partington. The letter survives and is well-documented as his final written communication before disappearing.
Sources
- firsthand Letter to Blanche Partington, December 26, 1913
- academic The Ambrose Bierce Site (academic research)
- archive Bierce, Ambrose. Correspondence
Legacy
Bierce's Devil's Dictionary is one of the great works of American satire. His disappearance is one of literature's great mysteries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Ambrose Bierce’s last words?
“As to me, I leave here tomorrow for an unknown destination.”
How did Ambrose Bierce die?
Ambrose Bierce died on c. January 1914 at the age of 71. Cause of death: Unknown — he disappeared in Mexico.
Were Ambrose Bierce’s last words documented?
This is from Bierce's last known letter dated December 26, 1913, to his secretary Blanche Partington. The letter survives and is well-documented as his final written communication before disappearing.
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