Albert Abraham Michelson
Albert Abraham Michelson dedicated his entire life to measuring the speed of light and moreover, he became the first American to win a Nobel Prize for physics. Even at the age of 78, as he was slowly dying, he measured light.
He wrote in his log for what would be the last time, “The following is a report on the measurement of the velocity of light made at the Irvine Ranch, near Santa Ana, California, during the period of September 1929 to—.”
Thomas B. Moran
Thomas B. Moran was actually quite a famous pickpocket, who was known by the keen nickname “Butterfingers.” It’s reported that he most likely stole some 50,000 wallets in his crime filled career.
He died in 1971, and his last words were, “I’ve never forgiven that smart-alecky reporter who named me Butterfingers. To me, it’s not funny.”