Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald, better known as F. Scott Fitzgerald, was one of the most influential American writers of the 20th century. Born on September 24, 1896, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Fitzgerald became a literary icon, best known for his depiction of the Jazz Age—a term he popularized through his writing.

His works, particularly The Great Gatsby, have earned him a lasting legacy in the American literary canon, though his journey to success and recognition was fraught with personal and professional struggles.

In the article below, World History Edu explores Fitzgerald’s life, his major works, and the themes that define his contribution to literature.

 

Early Life and Education

Fitzgerald was born into a middle-class family. His father, Edward Fitzgerald, came from a line of Marylanders, while his mother, Mary McQuillan, was the daughter of an Irish immigrant who became wealthy as a wholesale grocer in Saint Paul. Though Fitzgerald was not born into great wealth, his family had enough means to provide him with a good education and exposure to the lifestyles of the elite, experiences that would later influence his writing.

Fitzgerald spent much of his childhood in Buffalo, New York, and briefly attended the Newman School, a Catholic prep school in New Jersey. In 1913, he enrolled at Princeton University, where he quickly immersed himself in the world of literature and theater. At Princeton, Fitzgerald met future literary critic Edmund Wilson, who would later become a key figure in editing and publishing some of Fitzgerald’s posthumous works.

While at Princeton, Fitzgerald began writing stories and plays for various campus publications, cultivating his literary talent. However, his time at Princeton was interrupted by poor academic performance and a romantic disappointment with Chicago socialite Ginevra King. King became Fitzgerald’s first great love, and his relationship with her had a profound effect on his work. The experience of being rejected because of his lack of wealth and status deeply influenced Fitzgerald’s portrayal of class and ambition in his novels, particularly in The Great Gatsby. His academic struggles and heartbreak prompted him to leave Princeton in 1917, and he soon enlisted in the United States Army during World War I.

Meeting Zelda Sayre and Early Success

Though Fitzgerald never saw combat, his time in the military brought significant personal change. While stationed at Camp Sheridan near Montgomery, Alabama, Fitzgerald met Zelda Sayre, a Southern debutante and member of Montgomery’s social elite. Zelda would become one of the most important figures in Fitzgerald’s life, both as a muse and as his wife. However, Zelda initially rejected Fitzgerald’s marriage proposal, concerned about his financial prospects. Determined to win her hand, Fitzgerald rededicated himself to writing.

In 1920, Fitzgerald published his first novel, This Side of Paradise. The novel, a semi-autobiographical account of a young man’s college years and early adulthood, was an immediate success. It explored themes of youth, ambition, and love, mirroring Fitzgerald’s own experiences at Princeton and his relationship with Zelda. The novel’s success made Fitzgerald famous almost overnight, allowing him to finally marry Zelda. This Side of Paradise captured the post-World War I disillusionment of the younger generation and marked Fitzgerald as a voice of his era.

The sudden success of This Side of Paradise not only established Fitzgerald as one of the most promising young writers of his generation but also placed him and Zelda in the spotlight of American literary and social circles. The Fitzgeralds became emblematic of the Roaring Twenties, a decade of excess, wealth, and cultural change. Fitzgerald continued to build his reputation with his second novel, The Beautiful and Damned (1922), which tells the story of a young couple’s moral and financial decay, reflecting the darker side of the high life.

The Jazz Age and The Great Gatsby

As Fitzgerald and Zelda became part of the cultural elite, they led an extravagant lifestyle that mirrored the themes of wealth, ambition, and excess that characterized his writing. During this time, Fitzgerald wrote prolifically, publishing short stories in popular magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post, Collier’s Weekly, and Esquire. These stories helped fund the Fitzgeralds’ lavish lifestyle, though Fitzgerald often felt frustrated by the demands of writing for commercial magazines, as he aspired to write more serious and enduring fiction.

It was during this period that Fitzgerald began work on his most famous novel, The Great Gatsby (1925). Set in Long Island, New York, during the summer of 1922, The Great Gatsby tells the story of the enigmatic Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire who throws extravagant parties in the hope of reuniting with his former love, Daisy Buchanan. The novel explores themes of the American Dream, love, and the moral decay that often accompanies the pursuit of wealth. Through Gatsby’s tragic quest to reclaim his past, Fitzgerald critiques the superficiality and materialism that defined the Jazz Age.

Despite its critical praise, The Great Gatsby was not an immediate commercial success. It sold fewer than 23,000 copies in its first year, a disappointment for Fitzgerald. The novel’s lukewarm reception, coupled with the growing strains in his marriage to Zelda, marked the beginning of a difficult period for Fitzgerald. Zelda’s mental health began to deteriorate in the late 1920s, and she was eventually diagnosed with schizophrenia. Her illness, combined with Fitzgerald’s own struggles with alcoholism, placed immense pressure on their relationship.

Today, The Great Gatsby is regarded as one of the greatest works of American literature. It is often hailed as the “Great American Novel” for its exploration of the American Dream and its sharp critique of the social dynamics of the 1920s. The novel’s complex portrayal of ambition, love, and loss continues to resonate with readers, making it a staple in high school and college curricula.

 

The Lost Generation and Life in Europe

After the publication of The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald and Zelda moved to Europe, where they became part of the expatriate community of artists and writers known as the “Lost Generation.” This group, which included prominent figures such as Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, and John Dos Passos, had been disillusioned by the horrors of World War I and sought refuge in Paris and other European cities. Fitzgerald’s friendship with Hemingway was particularly significant, though their relationship was often marked by tension and rivalry. Hemingway, who admired Fitzgerald’s talent but disapproved of his personal choices, famously described Fitzgerald as having a “sensitive and tragic nature.”

Fitzgerald’s years in Europe were both productive and tumultuous. He continued to write short stories for magazines to support his family’s extravagant lifestyle, but he also began work on his next major novel, Tender Is the Night (1934). This novel, which Fitzgerald considered his most personal work, is set on the French Riviera and tells the story of Dick and Nicole Diver, a glamorous American couple whose marriage unravels under the strain of mental illness and infidelity. The novel was inspired by Fitzgerald’s own experiences, particularly Zelda’s mental health struggles, and explores themes of psychological trauma, the fleeting nature of beauty, and the complexities of human relationships.

Although Tender Is the Night was highly anticipated, it was not as well received as Fitzgerald had hoped. Critics praised its lyrical prose but found its structure disjointed and its themes too bleak. The novel’s failure to achieve commercial success during the Great Depression further exacerbated Fitzgerald’s financial troubles, and his alcoholism worsened during this period.

Decline, Hollywood, and The Last Tycoon

By the mid-1930s, Fitzgerald’s career and personal life were in decline. With Zelda’s mental health continuing to deteriorate and his own drinking spiraling out of control, Fitzgerald found it increasingly difficult to write. In 1937, he moved to Hollywood in search of steady income and began working as a screenwriter. Although he had some success in Hollywood, writing for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and earning a decent salary, Fitzgerald found the experience frustrating. He struggled to produce the kind of serious literary work he aspired to, and many of his film scripts were either rejected or heavily edited by the studio system.

While in Hollywood, Fitzgerald began a relationship with Sheilah Graham, a British-born gossip columnist. Graham became Fitzgerald’s companion during the final years of his life, providing him with stability and support as he continued to battle alcoholism and the pressures of Hollywood.

Despite his struggles, Fitzgerald began work on what would have been his fifth novel, The Last Tycoon. Set in the world of Hollywood studios, the novel was intended to explore the life of a young and talented film producer named Monroe Stahr. Fitzgerald viewed the novel as his chance to redeem himself as a serious writer, and he worked diligently on the manuscript. However, his declining health prevented him from completing it.

On December 21, 1940, Fitzgerald died of a heart attack at the age of 44. He had been sober for a brief period before his death, but years of heavy drinking had taken their toll on his body. At the time of his death, Fitzgerald was largely forgotten by the literary establishment, and many of his works were out of print.

After Fitzgerald’s death, his close friend and literary critic Edmund Wilson edited and published the unfinished manuscript of The Last Tycoon in 1941. The novel, though incomplete, received praise for its insight into the Hollywood film industry and its portrayal of ambition and power. In 1993, a revised edition, titled The Love of the Last Tycoon, was published, edited by literary scholar Matthew J. Bruccoli. The novel remains a fascinating glimpse into what could have been one of Fitzgerald’s finest works.

Did you know…?

1. Scott Fitzgerald was named after his distant cousin Francis Scott Key, the composer of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” On his father’s side, Fitzgerald came from a lineage of Marylanders, while his mother, Mary McQuillan, was the daughter of an Irish immigrant who prospered as a wholesale grocer in St. Paul.

Legacy and Posthumous Recognition

Fitzgerald’s death in 1940 marked the end of a life filled with both immense creative success and personal turmoil. In the years following his death, Fitzgerald’s works, particularly The Great Gatsby, experienced a resurgence in popularity. By the 1950s, Fitzgerald was being re-evaluated by literary critics, who recognized the depth and complexity of his writing. His novels and stories, once seen as mere chronicles of the Jazz Age, were now understood as profound meditations on the American Dream, wealth, love, and human aspiration.

Today, Fitzgerald is regarded as one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century. His ability to capture the spirit of his time while addressing timeless themes of ambition, morality, and identity has ensured that his works continue to resonate with readers. The Great Gatsby is regularly included in high school and college curricula and is frequently adapted into films, plays, and other media.

In addition to The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald’s other novels, including This Side of Paradise, The Beautiful and Damned, and Tender Is the Night, are studied for their exploration of American society, class dynamics, and the complexities of personal relationships. His short stories, many of which explore similar themes, continue to be celebrated for their wit, insight, and lyrical prose.

 

Themes in Fitzgerald’s Major Works

Fitzgerald’s major works are united by several recurring themes that reflect both his personal experiences and his observations of American society. These themes include:

• The American Dream: Perhaps the most central theme in Fitzgerald’s work, the American Dream represents the idea that success and happiness can be achieved through hard work and ambition. However, Fitzgerald’s novels often portray the darker side of the American Dream, showing how the pursuit of wealth and status can lead to moral decay, disillusionment, and personal tragedy. In The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby’s obsessive quest for success and love ultimately leads to his downfall, serving as a critique of the shallow materialism that defined the Jazz Age.
• Love and Desire: Many of Fitzgerald’s works explore the complexities of love and desire, often depicting romantic relationships that are doomed by external pressures, such as social class or personal ambition. Fitzgerald’s own experiences with love, particularly his relationships with Ginevra King and Zelda Sayre, deeply influenced his portrayal of romantic longing and the often unattainable nature of true fulfillment.
• Wealth and Class: Fitzgerald was fascinated by the divide between the wealthy and the poor, and many of his characters are preoccupied with issues of class and status. His novels frequently explore the tensions between old money and new money, as well as the ways in which wealth can both elevate and corrupt individuals. In The Great Gatsby, Gatsby’s attempt to rise from humble beginnings to the heights of wealth and privilege highlights the limits of social mobility in America.
• Disillusionment and Loss: A sense of disillusionment pervades much of Fitzgerald’s writing, reflecting both the post-World War I generation’s loss of faith in traditional values and Fitzgerald’s own personal struggles. His characters often confront the emptiness of their pursuits, whether it be wealth, love, or success, leading to a profound sense of loss and regret. This theme is particularly evident in Tender Is the Night, where the glamorous life of Dick and Nicole Diver unravels, exposing the fragility of their happiness.

 

Questions and Answers

How many novels and short stories did Fitzgerald publish during his lifetime?

Fitzgerald published four novels, four story collections, and 164 short stories during his lifetime.

What personal experiences influenced Fitzgerald’s early writing?

Fitzgerald’s experiences at Princeton University and his romantic relationship with Chicago socialite Ginevra King deeply influenced his early writing. His first novel, This Side of Paradise, draws heavily from these experiences.

How did Fitzgerald’s marriage to Zelda Sayre come about?

Zelda initially rejected Fitzgerald’s marriage proposal due to his lack of financial stability. However, after the success of his first novel, This Side of Paradise, Zelda agreed to marry him.

What was Fitzgerald’s relationship with the “Lost Generation” of expatriate writers?

While living in Europe during the 1920s, Fitzgerald became part of the expatriate community known as the “Lost Generation,” which included writers like Ernest Hemingway, with whom he became close friends.

How was The Great Gatsby received when it was first published, and how is it viewed today?

When The Great Gatsby was first published in 1925, it received favorable reviews but was a commercial disappointment, selling fewer than 23,000 copies. Today, it is regarded as one of the greatest works of American literature.

How did Zelda Fitzgerald’s mental health affect their marriage?

Zelda was diagnosed with schizophrenia in the late 1920s and spent time in mental institutions. Her illness, along with Fitzgerald’s alcoholism, strained their marriage and influenced his later works, particularly Tender Is the Night.

Why did Fitzgerald move to Hollywood in 1937, and how did his career there progress?

Fitzgerald moved to Hollywood in an attempt to revive his fortunes by becoming a screenwriter. Although he earned some money working on film projects, he found the experience frustrating and struggled to produce successful scripts.

Who was Sheilah Graham, and what role did she play in Fitzgerald’s life?

Sheilah Graham was a columnist and Fitzgerald’s companion during his final years in Hollywood. Their relationship lasted until his death in 1940.

What was Fitzgerald working on at the time of his death, and who completed the manuscript?

At the time of his death, Fitzgerald was working on his fifth novel, The Last Tycoon. His friend Edmund Wilson edited and published the unfinished manuscript posthumously in 1941.

How is F. Scott Fitzgerald’s literary legacy viewed today?

Today, Fitzgerald is regarded as one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century. His works, especially The Great Gatsby, are central to the American literary canon and offer insight into themes like wealth, ambition, and the American Dream.