Emily Dickinson's self-proclaimed 'favourite' nephew died at an early age of eight after suffering from Typhoid Fever. The death of this young and brilliant boy seemed to be that cause of the start of Dickinson's decline in health. 

He was described as charming and everyone, even his siblings, only had positive and loving things to say about him. Emily took a rare 'excursion' from her home and isolationg to sit by his bed the night before he died. 

Emily Dickinson Museum. (n.d.). Thomas Gilbert (GIB) Dickinson (1875-1883), nephew. Emily Dickinson Museum. Retrieved December 16, 2021, from https://www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org/thomas-gilbert-gib-dickinson-1875-1...