F. Scott Fitzgerald - Author | Mini Bio | BIO

Summary

F. Scott Fitzgerald, one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century, captured the essence of the 1920s in works like *The Great Gatsby*. Born in 1896 in Minnesota, Fitzgerald's early writing passion led him to publish his first story at 13. His novel *This Side of Paradise* made him wealthy, allowing him to marry Zelda. *The Great Gatsby*, published in 1925, remains a defining American classic. Despite his later struggles with alcoholism and declining success, Fitzgerald's literary genius endures, with his beautifully crafted prose immortalizing the Jazz Age.

Takeaways

• 📚 F. Scott Fitzgerald is considered one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, known for capturing the essence of America in the 1920s.
• 🖋️ He is best known for his novel 'The Great Gatsby,' regarded as one of the greatest novels of all time.
• 🏙️ Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on September 24, 1896, and published his first story at the age of 13 in a school newspaper.
• 🎓 At Princeton University, he wrote for musicals and humor magazines but had to leave after three years due to poor academic performance.
• 🎖️ Fitzgerald joined the Army during World War I but was never deployed overseas. During this time, he met his future wife, Zelda.
• 💍 His first novel, 'This Side of Paradise,' was a bestseller and led to his marriage with Zelda.
• 🎷 Fitzgerald coined the term 'The Jazz Age' to describe the 1920s, and his success in this period was substantial, selling over 50,000 copies of his novel.
• 🇫🇷 In 1924, Fitzgerald moved to France, where he wrote 'The Great Gatsby,' which has become a symbol of American culture.
• 📰 Throughout his career, he wrote 178 stories for magazines to financially support himself and his novels.
• 🍸 Fitzgerald struggled with alcoholism and depression, and despite his early success, he faced difficulties later in life. He died in 1940 while working on his final novel, 'The Last Tycoon.'

Q & A

Who was F. Scott Fitzgerald?

F. Scott Fitzgerald was one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century, known for capturing the essence of 1920s America.

What is F. Scott Fitzgerald's most famous novel?

F. Scott Fitzgerald's most famous novel is 'The Great Gatsby,' often considered one of the greatest American novels of all time.

When and where was F. Scott Fitzgerald born?

F. Scott Fitzgerald was born on September 24, 1896, in St. Paul, Minnesota.

What was Fitzgerald’s first published work?

Fitzgerald's first published work was a story in the school newspaper of St. Paul Academy when he was 13 years old.

How did F. Scott Fitzgerald’s time at Princeton University affect his writing?

At Princeton, Fitzgerald wrote for musical plays and the Princeton Tiger humor magazine, but his academic performance suffered due to his devotion to writing, leading him to leave after three years.

How did F. Scott Fitzgerald's relationship with Zelda Sayre evolve?

Fitzgerald met Zelda while stationed at Camp Sheridan during World War I. She initially refused to commit until he could financially support her, but after his first novel became successful, they married.

What was F. Scott Fitzgerald’s first novel, and how was it received?

Fitzgerald's first novel was 'This Side of Paradise,' published in 1920. It was an immediate bestseller and sold over 50,000 copies in the first year.

Why did F. Scott Fitzgerald move to France in 1924?

Fitzgerald moved to France in 1924 to rekindle his creativity, which led to the writing of 'The Great Gatsby.'

How many short stories did F. Scott Fitzgerald publish during his career?

F. Scott Fitzgerald published 178 stories in various magazines, including the Saturday Evening Post and Esquire.

What were some of the challenges Fitzgerald faced later in his career?

Fitzgerald struggled with alcoholism and depression, and watched as other writers like Ernest Hemingway gained more success, while his own later works did not match the success of 'The Great Gatsby.'

What was F. Scott Fitzgerald working on at the time of his death?

At the time of his death, Fitzgerald was working on his unfinished novel, 'The Last Tycoon,' which was later published posthumously.