He Suffered From Memory Problems Late In Life

Emerson's health started to deteriorate in 1867, and his diary entries decreased significantly. He began to have memory issues and suffered from aphasia as early as the summer of 1871 or the spring of 1872. Most historians believe Emerson had Alzheimer's disease based on his symptoms. By the decade's conclusion, he occasionally forgot his own identity and would reply, “Quite well; I have lost my mental faculties, but am perfectly well” when people inquired how they were. Emerson apparently maintained a good outlook despite losing his memory of his own identity and the names of his pals (much as his first wife did while she was dying of tuberculosis).

Emerson stopped making public appearances by 1879 because his memory issues had grown humiliating. He replied, “I am not in a condition to pay visits or take any part in the talk”, to an invitation to Octavius B. Frothingham's retirement party. In the past year, old age has crept up on me, tying my tongue and obscuring my memory, making it my obligation to stay at home. The New York Times cited his response and mentioned that at the celebration, his regrets were read aloud.

Emerson was diagnosed with pneumonia on April 21, 1882. In six days, he passed away. Emerson is interred in Concord, Massachusetts' Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. He was placed in his coffin wearing a white robe given by the American sculptor Daniel Chester French.