From "Last words of famous people" this summary of
Gordon, George, Lord Byron (1788-1824)
"Good night."
Lord Byron was one of the most widely read and notorious poets of his era, and many believe that some of his works, especially Don Juan, are autobiographical. He was forced to flee England in 1816 to escape his debts and a nasty sex scandal involving his wife's sister. He traveled throughout Europe until he joined the Greek war for independence in 1823. That winter, he became quite ill, perhaps partly due to malnutrition as he had taken to eating almost nothing but meager portions of rice. He had not yet fully recovered when he was caught in a driving, frigid rainstorm. He returned to his room chilled, shivering, and with a high fever. Friends called in physicians and surgeons who bled him with twelve leeches they attached to his temples and induced violent diarrhea with a large dose of castor oil. All concerned were surprised to find this treatment did not work, and Lord Byron lapsed into a deep stupor. He eventually regained consciousness long enough to say "Now I shall go to sleep. Good night." He died within twenty-four hours. |
