Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-11-02
THOMAS n. page,
FORMER ENVOY,
dies SUDDENLY
One-Time Ambassador To
italy Stricken at Home
In Virginia.
WAS VIRGINIA MAN
Appointed BY Former President Will
s0n-Dean of Southern Authors
Victim of Heart Disease.

Richmond, Va, Nov. 2.-Thomas
Nelson Page, famous author, and at
one time United States Ambassador
to Italy, died suddenly yesterday af-
ternoon at his country home. Coax
land" Hanover County, Virginia.
DR.. Page was 60 years old, his death
comig as a shock to his friends and
relatives
His funeral will take place tomor-
row morning at 10 o'clock in the
"Old Fork Church." in which he was
christened.
His death was sudden He was in
his garden directing the planting of
shrubbery. He had just said to his
companion Of many years, Here, Al
fred, take this spake and do little
digging" and fell His heart had
stopped beating forever.
Apparently in the best of health
and in the finest humor Dr.. Page
had gone into the garden shortly af-
ter breakfast. He was accompanied
by his sister-in-law, Mrs Roosevelt
Page. His old companion, Alfred, and
several workmen, were near him.
When he collapsed he was hurried TO
the house. Medical aid was sum-
moned. A nurse responded, and al
though it was only a matter of few
minutes before she arrived, life was
extinct. Death was due, it is said,
to acute cardiac dilatation
Although he served as American
Ambassador at Rome for six years,
Mr. Page was best known for his
literary productions. which had made
name for him at home and abroad
before President Wilson, at the be-
ginning of his Administration, asked
him to enter the diplomatic service.
He was appointed Ambassador to
Italy in June, 1913. and served in
that capacity until August. 1919. He
was born April %, 1858. in Hanover
county.
As q youth Mr. Page attended
Washington and Lee University. In
1874 the degree Of bachelor Of laws
was conferred on him by the Univer-
sity of Virginia. Subsequently the
honorary degree of doctor of laws
was conferred on him by Washington
and Lee, Tulane DIVERSITY and Will
liam and Mary College, and the de-
@ree Of doctor of literature bv Yale,
Harvard AND Washington and Lee.
Mr.. Pare was twice married-in
1886 70 Miss Anne SeddOn Bruce,
who died in 1888, and in 1898 to Mrs.
Florence LathroD Field, widow of
Henry Field, of Chicago Her death
occurred last year.
Mr. Page was author of a number
Of books on Southern life, among
them "Marse Chan" "Two Little
COnfederates" and Gordon Keith"
In 1920 he produced Ttaly and the
World War" and two wears previous
" wrote in Italiar "Life of Thomas
jefferson"
Until recently Mr.. Pare had been
making his home in Washington, but
he closed his housa there few weeks
ago with the intention Of visiting
relatives in Virginia and other States
Mr.. Pages service as Ambassador
to Italy covered a critical period in
American Eurorean relations. end
more than one Of the important din
lomatic notes passing between the
United States and the Allied govern
ments went through his hands.
In the summer Of 1919 Ambassa-
dor Page came to Washington to
confer with officials regarding the
details Of peace and reconstruction
in Furore and indicated that he would
he rlad because of his advacing wears
to Law down the official burden he
had carried throughout the war. AT
p long White House conference he
laid before President Wilson a final
rprort on conditions in Europe rs he
had seon them. and shortly thereaf-
ter he left the sorv;ce of the Govern
ment Most Of his time since has
been spent in study and in occasional
writing