Thackeray died unexpectedly of a stroke at the age of 52.  His sudden passing was a shock to his family, friends, and the literary public.  Before his death, Thackeray did suffer from ill health. Like his character Jos Sedley, Thackeray was a gourmand with a penchant for hot peppers. His funeral drew 7,000 people to pay their respects.  He was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery, and a memorial bust by Marochetti was installed in Westminster Abbey.