Famous Last Words
Sir William Erskine, 2nd Baronet
Lisbon, Portugal
February 13, 1813
“Now why did I do that?”
Erskine had recently been relieved of his position in the British Army, being cashiered (ceremoniously disgracing of a military official by physically stripping them of medals, insignias, swords, and other status symbols and destroying them) after being declared insane. Erskine leapt from his balcony, with most sources claiming was done with purpose. His Last Words were of apparent regret and he succumbed to his injuries 3 days after his fatal leap.
