Artists & Writers · 20th Century
William Faulkner’s Last Words
“Unknown — he died of a heart attack.”— William Faulkner, July 6, 1962
Who Was William Faulkner?
William Faulkner won the Nobel Prize for his powerful novels set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi. The Sound and the Fury and As I Lay Dying are masterpieces of modernist fiction.
The Final Moments
Faulkner died of a heart attack at Wright's Sanatorium in Byhalia, Mississippi. He had been in poor health from alcoholism and a recent fall from a horse.
Are These Words Verified?
Medical records and contemporary accounts confirm Faulkner died suddenly of a heart attack at the sanatorium. No last words were recorded by hospital staff or witnesses.
Sources
- archive Hospital records and death certificate
- newspaper Contemporary news reports, July 1962
- biography Joseph Blotner's Faulkner: A Biography
Legacy
Faulkner's stream-of-consciousness technique and his exploration of the American South's racial history influenced generations of writers worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were William Faulkner’s last words?
“Unknown — he died of a heart attack.”
How did William Faulkner die?
William Faulkner died on July 6, 1962 at the age of 64. Cause of death: Heart attack.
Were William Faulkner’s last words documented?
Medical records and contemporary accounts confirm Faulkner died suddenly of a heart attack at the sanatorium. No last words were recorded by hospital staff or witnesses.
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