ABSTRACT
Vladimir Ilyich Lenin became seriously ill in the spring of 1922 and was partially paralysed and unable to speak. Although he recovered somewhat he was again incapacitated by semi-paralysis in December of that year. During 1923, although no longer the active leader of the state and party, he was still dictating papers; in March 1923 another stroke occurred and he was never to speak again. He died of a final stroke on 21 January 1924 aged 53 years.
