John Adams' Last Words: Fact or Fiction?

  • Thread starter Thread starter LightningInAJar
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the historical accuracy of John Adams' last words, specifically whether he said, "Thomas Jefferson survives," and the implications of this statement. It touches on themes of historical fact versus fiction, the relationship between Adams and Jefferson, and the context of their deaths.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the authenticity of Adams' last words and suggests the possibility of fabrication, implying a supernatural element regarding Jefferson's presence.
  • Another participant provides context about the political relationship between Adams and Jefferson, noting their eventual reconciliation and shared interest in the 4th of July, while asserting that there is no controversy surrounding Adams' last words.
  • There is a brief exchange regarding the abbreviation "wrt," with participants clarifying its meaning as "with respect to."
  • Participants express differing views on the relevance of ghostly implications in the discussion of Adams' last words.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit disagreement regarding the authenticity and implications of Adams' last words, with some asserting there is no controversy while others question the narrative surrounding it.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the historical accuracy of Adams' last words or the implications of their meaning, leaving open questions about the context and interpretations.

LightningInAJar
Messages
274
Reaction score
36
Is it true that John Adams' last words were something to the effect of, "Thomas Jefferson survives" or could that easily be fabricated? It sounds like it implies he saw the ghost of Jefferson before he himself died.
 
Science news on Phys.org
Adams and Jefferson were long term political opponents.
They eventually reconciled.
Both were interested in living to the 4th of July, the birthday of the country they both helped to found. They were two of the longest surviving founders.
Jefferson had died hours before, but communications were not modern, and word of it had not yet arrived to wherever Adams was.
There does not seen to be any controversy about his last words.
I have never heard about ghosts wrt this.
 
Reply
  • Like
  • Informative
Likes   Reactions: berkeman and Oldman too
wrt?
 
LightningInAJar said:
wrt?
"with respect to" --- do you not know how to use Google?
 
Reply
  • Haha
Likes   Reactions: Vanadium 50 and BillTre
phinds said:
"with respect to" --- do you not know how to use Google?
Sorry. Typos aren't unheard of.
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: AlexB23 and BillTre

Similar threads

The English word that hasn't changed sound or meaning in millenia
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
4K
Can anyone provide suggestions for a book on prose-writing?
  • · Replies 48 ·
2
Replies
48
Views
8K
Ghost in the Shell (1995 & 2017)
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
The Scientist as Hero - or not
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
RIP Gene Cernan, last astronaut on the moon
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Long-lost star catalogue of the astronomer Hipparchus
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
What are some interesting facts about America's history and government?
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K
Undergrad Time travel is a fact or fiction.?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Undergrad Is there any interpretation of QM that doesn't clash with intuition?
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
2K
Can 3D Modeling Bring Classic Star Trek and Looney Tunes Together?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K