Later Life and Death
Gillray's eyesight began to fail in 1806. He began wearing spectacles but they were unsatisfactory. Unable to work to his previous high standards, James Gillray became depressed and started drinking heavily. He produced his last print in September 1809. As a result of his heavy drinking Gillray suffered from gout throughout his later life.
In July 1811 Gillray attempted to kill himself by throwing himself out of an attic window above Humphrey's shop in St James's Street. Gillray lapsed into insanity and was looked after by Hannah Humphrey until his death on 1 June 1815.
James Gillray was buried in the courtyard of St James's Church, in Piccadilly, London.
Read more about this topic: James Gillray
Famous quotes containing the words life and/or death:
“The life of man is the true romance, which when it is valiantly conducted will yield the imagination a higher joy than any fiction.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (18031882)
“hung up like a pig on exhibit,
the delicate wrists,
the beard drooling blood and vinegar;
hooked to your own weight,
jolting toward death under your nameplate.”
—Anne Sexton (19281974)