Death of Ludwig Van Beethoven

The death of Ludwig van Beethoven on 26 March 1827 followed a prolonged illness. It was witnessed by his sister-in-law and by his close friend Anselm Hüttenbrenner, who provided a vivid description of the event. Beethoven's funeral was held three days later, and the procession was witnessed by a large crowd. He was buried in the cemetery at Währing, although his remains were moved in 1888 to Vienna's Zentralfriedhof.

Hüttenbrenner's account has been used to ascribe motivations of resistance and anger to Beethoven in his final moments. Beethoven's last words, and the exact cause of Beethoven's death have also been the subject of some disagreement.

Read more about Death Of Ludwig Van Beethoven:  Final Illness, Autopsy and Post-mortem Findings, Funeral and Burial, Lead Poisoning Overdose

Famous quotes containing the words death, ludwig, van and/or beethoven:

    It was not death he feared—it was the disgrace of death, and the misery of the ignominious preparations. He knew in his heart that heaven could not call it murder that he had done; but he felt equally sure that man would do so.
    Anthony Trollope (1815–1882)

    It had been a wonderful evening. And what I needed now to give it the perfect ending was a bit of the old Ludwig Van.
    Stanley Kubrick (b. 1928)

    Narcotics have been systematically scapegoated and demonized. The idea that anyone can use drugs and escape a horrible fate is an anathema to these idiots. I predict that in the near future, right wingers will use drug hysteria as a pretext to set up an international police apparatus.
    —Gus Van Sant, U.S. screenwriter and director, and Dan Yost. Father Tom Murphy (William S. Burroughs)

    Must it be? It must be.
    [Muss es sein? Es muss sein.]
    —Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770–1827)