He was known as “Admiral Booth” in Chelsea

Sophia Caroline Booth, a self-sufficient widow 25 years his younger, and J.M.W. Turner eventually began dating. The only household experience Turner had was with them, which lasted until the end of his life. The sick Turner was cared for in his final days by Sophia Caroline Booth; he died alone and was almost completely blind, having survived in his final days on a diet of spoon-fed milk and whiskey. In Chelsea's Cheyne Walk, Turner gave Sophia a riverfront house.

Joseph Mallord William Turner had been hiding out in a Chelsea shack in London for at least five years at the time of his death in 1851. Even the housekeeping at his official abode at 47 Queen Anne Street was unaware of his movements. Tradespeople in the area called him "Admiral Booth", which is one of the interesting facts about Joseph Mallord William Turner. He was simply known as "Puggy" among the neighboring street kids.

Turner passed away on December 19, 1851, in Sophia Booth's Chelsea home. He was 76 years old when he reportedly proclaimed, "The Sun is God," as his final words. People in the area didn't recognize who he truly was until after his death. Turner was buried in London's St. Paul's Cathedral at his wish.