Lord Chesterfield is chiefly remembered for his witty "Letters to His Son" -- a monograph outlining (for his illegitimate son Philip) the ideal conduct of an 18th Century gentleman.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Chesterfield was courteous until the very end. The last person to visit him on his deathbed was his godson, Solomon Dayrolles. Rousing himself, Chesterfield instructed a servant to "Give Dayrolles a chair."

[These proved to be Chesterfield's last words.]