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Birth
Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald was born, in St. Paul Minnesota -
From University to the Army
Francis was a member of the graduating class of Princeton, 1917. However he was not very studious as he prioritized his literary training over his studies. This included being a part of the Princeton Tiger Magazine. His academic negligence got so bad that he was put on academic prohibition, which further prompted him to join the army. -
First Novel
The Romantic Egotist, Francis’ first novel which he wrote shortly after joining the army. It was rejected by the Scribner Press. -
Enter Zelda Sayer
The daughter of a Supreme Court Judge, Zelda caught Francis’ interest when he met her at a camp near Montgomery, Alabama. Where the two get engaged. -
Trouble in Paradise
After being discharged from the army, Francis seeks his fortune to ask for Zelda’s hand in marriage in New York, who refuses due to his low financial status. -
“The Romantic Egotist” version 2
Quitting his job, Francis moves back to St. Paul where he rewrites his novel as “This Side of Paradise”. A version set at Princeton, centered around the life of Amory Blaine. -
Kickstart to a Long Career
Unlike The Romantic Egotist, The Side of Paradise is successfully accepted by an editor at Scribners, Maxwell Perkins. Later that year, Francis’ career takes off, as he begins writing for mass circulation magazines, namely, The Saturday Evening Post, which will become his biggest story market. -
Second Novel
As Francis begins making a living, Zelda agrees finally accepts, and the two get married, a week after “This Side of Paradise” is published. The couple move back to New York City. Where F. Scott writes his second novel, “The Beautiful and Damned”. A novel that highlighted the New York Cafe society during the Jazz age. -
First, and Only Born
After getting pregnant the couple decides to move back to St. Paul where Zelda gives birth to their first, and only born, Francis Scott Fitzgerald. -
Minor Setback
The family moves to Great Neck Long Island, in hopes of debuting F. Scott’s first play, “The Vegetable”, near Broadway. The play was not a hit, causing Francis a lot of debt that he paid off through his stories. -
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Breakthrough
While in France, Francis writes his most famous novel to date, ‘“The Great Gatsby”, later revised in Rome, and published on there way back to Paris. Although the sales were lackluster, Fitzgerald received praise for his work. -
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Zelda’s Health
From intense ballet training, to her first breakdown, Zelda was admitted into psychiatric care until 1931. This forced Fitzgerald to puta pause on his work, and write short stories in order to pay for her treatment. After her release, the family moved back to America. This however was short lived, as Zelda relapsed late that year, where she was admitted to Johns Hopkins Hospital Baltimore. -
Fourth Novel
The completion of Fitzgerald’s fourth novel, “Tender is the Night”, was bitter sweet. With a plot that follows the deterioration of a marriage between a rich mental patient and a Psychiatrist. Clearly seeking inspiration from his own life, the novel expressed the couple’s relationship during that time. -
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The “Crack-Up Years”
A period in Fitzgerald life consumed with his struggles with alcoholism, and ability to write short stories. Scottie, was also sent to boarding school. -
Hollywood
Fitzgerald moves to Hollywood alone, becoming a screenwriter for MGM. Then in 1938, he worked for Esquire as a freelance scriptwriter. -
Last Novel
“The Love of the Last Tycoon” marked Fitzgerald’s last novel, and the end of his career, but not his legacy. -
Death
Francis was still working on his last novel when he dies after suffering a heart attack. He died believing he had failed in his life, blaming his alcoholism and inability to publish novels consistently. -
A Legacy for the Books
A revival of the Great Gatsby, ensued by literary critic, Edmund Wilson, shone the spotlight back on Fitzgerald’s work. The Great Gatsby was transformed into a classic of 20th century American fiction, sparking various adaptations through film and television. F. Scott Fitzgerald is now viewed as one of the greatest American authors of all time.