Famous Last Words
John Quincy Adams
Washington, D. C.
February 23, 1848
“This is the last of Earth. I am content.”
John Quincy Adams was the sixth president of the United States and long-time opponent of slavery and advocate of science.
Adams never retired after his presidency and remained in Congress, even after he suffered a stroke in 1846. On February 21, 1848, Adams spoke against a measure to honor veterans of the Mexican-American War, which Adams had been opposed to. When questioned as to why he spoke against the measure, he rose to answer but collapsed immediately from a cerebral hemorrhage. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage with his wife and youngest son at his side.
