Anne and
Emily Brontë and other members of the
Brontë family of writers, poets and painters were struck by tuberculosis. Anne, their brother
Branwell, and Emily all died of it within two years of each other.
Charlotte Brontë's death in 1855 was stated at the time as having been due to tuberculosis, but there is some controversy over this today.
Clarissa Brooks, poet, died of tuberculosis in 1927
Albert Camus, French writer, playwright, activist, and
absurdist philosopher, suffered from tuberculosis. He was forced to drop out of school (
University of Algiers) due to severe attacks of tuberculosis. However, his death was caused by a car accident.
George Orwell (1903–1950), British author of Nineteen Eighty-Four, Animal Farm and Homage to Catalonia, first suffered tuberculosis in the early 1930s and died from it in 1950, at the age of 46. Nineteen Eighty-Four was written during his final illness.
Thomas Wolfe (1900–1938), American author, died of tuberculosis of the brain. His 1929 novel, Look Homeward, Angel, makes several references to the problem of
consumption, though Wolfe's condition appeared rather suddenly in 1937.
Frédéric Chopin (1810–1849), died of consumption at age 39 (see
the discussion for details). Historical records indicate episodes of
hemoptysis during performances.
Julius Reubke (1834–1858), German composer, pianist, and organist
Jimmie Rodgers (1897–1933),
country music singer, sang about the woes of tuberculosis in the song T.B. Blues (co-written with Raymond E. Hall) and ultimately died of the disease days after a New York City recording session.
David Brainerd (1718–1747), left a diary that reflects his reliance upon God's faithfulness amidst his battle with consumption. The diary was historically very influential, particularly to the modern
Christian missionary movement.[6][7]
Nelson Mandela, South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician and philanthropist. He got tuberculosis exacerbated by the dank conditions in his cell
Petar II Petrović Njegoš (1813-1851), was a Prince-Bishop (vladika) of Montenegro, poet and philosopher whose works are widely considered some of the most important in Serbian/Montenegrin literature.
Okita Soji (1842/1844–1868), young and famous captain of the
Shinsengumi, died from tuberculosis. He was rumored to have discovered his disease when he coughed blood and fainted during the
Ikedaya Affair.
Srinivasa Ramanujan, mathematician; uncertain: believed for many years to have died from tuberculosis but now suspected the cause may have been hepatic
amoebiasis
Christy Mathewson (1880–1925),
major league baseball pitcher; developed tuberculosis as a consequence of being accidentally gassed during a training exercise while serving in the U.S. Army Chemical Service during World War I
Anne and
Emily Brontë and other members of the
Brontë family of writers, poets and painters were struck by tuberculosis. Anne, their brother
Branwell, and Emily all died of it within two years of each other.
Charlotte Brontë's death in 1855 was stated at the time as having been due to tuberculosis, but there is some controversy over this today.
Clarissa Brooks, poet, died of tuberculosis in 1927
Albert Camus, French writer, playwright, activist, and
absurdist philosopher, suffered from tuberculosis. He was forced to drop out of school (
University of Algiers) due to severe attacks of tuberculosis. However, his death was caused by a car accident.
George Orwell (1903–1950), British author of Nineteen Eighty-Four, Animal Farm and Homage to Catalonia, first suffered tuberculosis in the early 1930s and died from it in 1950, at the age of 46. Nineteen Eighty-Four was written during his final illness.
Thomas Wolfe (1900–1938), American author, died of tuberculosis of the brain. His 1929 novel, Look Homeward, Angel, makes several references to the problem of
consumption, though Wolfe's condition appeared rather suddenly in 1937.
Frédéric Chopin (1810–1849), died of consumption at age 39 (see
the discussion for details). Historical records indicate episodes of
hemoptysis during performances.
Julius Reubke (1834–1858), German composer, pianist, and organist
Jimmie Rodgers (1897–1933),
country music singer, sang about the woes of tuberculosis in the song T.B. Blues (co-written with Raymond E. Hall) and ultimately died of the disease days after a New York City recording session.
David Brainerd (1718–1747), left a diary that reflects his reliance upon God's faithfulness amidst his battle with consumption. The diary was historically very influential, particularly to the modern
Christian missionary movement.[6][7]
Nelson Mandela, South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician and philanthropist. He got tuberculosis exacerbated by the dank conditions in his cell
Petar II Petrović Njegoš (1813-1851), was a Prince-Bishop (vladika) of Montenegro, poet and philosopher whose works are widely considered some of the most important in Serbian/Montenegrin literature.
Okita Soji (1842/1844–1868), young and famous captain of the
Shinsengumi, died from tuberculosis. He was rumored to have discovered his disease when he coughed blood and fainted during the
Ikedaya Affair.
Srinivasa Ramanujan, mathematician; uncertain: believed for many years to have died from tuberculosis but now suspected the cause may have been hepatic
amoebiasis
Christy Mathewson (1880–1925),
major league baseball pitcher; developed tuberculosis as a consequence of being accidentally gassed during a training exercise while serving in the U.S. Army Chemical Service during World War I