Fitzgerald Timeline

Fitzgerald's Life

Period: Jan 1, 1890 to Dec 31, 1930

Fitzgerald's Birth

Sep 24, 1896

Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on September 24, 1896, the namesake and second cousin three times removed of the author of the National Anthem. Fitzgerald’s given names indicate his parents’ pride in his father’s ancestry. http://www.online-literature.com/fitzgerald/

Fitzgerald moved

Jan 1, 1898

In 1898 the Fitzgerald moved to Buffalo, New York where Edward obtained a job as salesman with Proctor and Gamble after his furniture-making company foundered. http://www.online-literature.com/fitzgerald/

Fitzgerald moved back

Jan 1, 1908

When Edward lost his job in 1908 they were back in St. Paul. http://www.online-literature.com/fitzgerald/

Fitzgerald entered Princeton University

Jan 1, 1913

In 1913 he entered Princeton University http://www.online-literature.com/fitzgerald/

Fitzgerald join army

Jan 1, 1917

In 1917 Fitzgerald left Princeton to join the army. http://www.online-literature.com/fitzgerald/

Fitzgerald met Zelda Sayre

Jan 1, 1918

While in Montgomery, Alabama in 1918 he met Zelda Sayre. http://www.online-literature.com/fitzgerald/

Fitzgerald gets engaged

Jan 1, 1919

A year later they were engaged, but Zelda broke it off a few months later. http://www.online-literature.com/fitzgerald/

Fitzgerald moved to New York

Jan 2, 1919

After his discharge from the army in 1919, Fitzgerald moved to New York City. http://www.online-literature.com/fitzgerald/

Published "This Side Of Paradise"

Mar 26, 1920

It was rejected by Charles Scribner but after three revisions they published it to great success as This Side Of Paradise (1920) http://www.online-literature.com/fitzgerald/

Fitzgerald got married

Apr 3, 1920

Fitzgerald now finally got a taste of his own paradise; he and Zelda married on April 3, 1920 at St Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. http://www.online-literature.com/fitzgerald/

Fitzgerald's child was born

Oct 26, 1921

Their daughter Frances Scott 'Scottie' was born in 1921. http://www.online-literature.com/fitzgerald/

Tales of the Jazz Age Published

Sep 22, 1922

Tales of the Jazz Age (1922), Fitzgerald's second collection of shorts contains one of his most famous short stories. http://www.online-literature.com/fitzgerald/

The Beautiful and The Damned published

Dec 10, 1922

His second novel, also adapted to the screen, was published the same year, The Beautiful and The Damned (1922) http://www.online-literature.com/fitzgerald/

The Great Gatsby publish

Apr 10, 1925

Fitzgerald published The Great Gatsby on April 10, 1925. http://www.online-literature.com/fitzgerald/

All the Sad Young Men published

Feb 1, 1926

After the immense success of The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald's All the Sad Young Men (1926) prophetically harkened things to come., http://www.online-literature.com/fitzgerald/

Fitzgerald turned to alcohol

Jan 1, 1927

In 1927 the Fitzgerald's rented the 27 bedroom mansion Ellerslie, near Wilmington, Delaware and drunken parties ensued. Fitzgerald was increasingly turning to alcohol, sometimes becoming abusive. http://www.online-literature.com/fitzgerald/

Zelda had her first breakdown

Apr 1, 1930

The Fitzgeralds returned to France in the spring of 1929, where Zelda’s intense ballet work damaged her health and contributed to the couple’s estrangement. In April 1930 she suffered her first breakdown. https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/university_libraries/browse/irvin_dept_special_collections/collections/matthew_arlyn_bruccoli_collection_of_f_scott_fitzgerald/life_of_fitzgerald/index.php

Fitzgerald used Zelda's breakdowns in writing

Apr 2, 1930

Fitzgerald continued to use his wife's mental breakdowns and their overall dysfunctional relationship in his writings. http://www.online-literature.com/fitzgerald/