Life of F. Scott Fitzgerald

By kailyn.marsh@hilliardschools.org

  • Birth

    Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald is born on September 24, 1896, in St. Paul, Minnesota
  • Period: to

    Childhood and Early Writing

    Shows early interest in writing and literature while growing up in Minnesota

  • Newman School

    Enters the catholic prep school, meets Father Sigourney Fay who encourages his writing

  • Princeton University

    Enrolls at Princeton, participates in literary magazines, and begins serious writing

  • Joins the Army

    Leaves Princeton to serve in the U.S. Army during World War 1; trains but never sees combat

  • Meets Zelda Sayre

    Stationed at Camp Sheridan, Alabama; meets Zelda, who will become his wife and muse

  • Returns to St. Paul

    Works on rewriting his novel that will become This Side of Paradise

  • Publishes This Side of Paradise

    Debut novel is a huge success, launching him into fame

  • Marries Zelda Sayre

    Marries Zelda Sayre in New York after the success of his first novel

  • Birth of Daughter Scottie

    Daughter Frances Scott “Scottie” Fitzgerald is born

  • Publishes The Great Gatsby

    His most famous work explores wealth, love, and the American Dream during the Jazz Age

  • Zelda’s First Breakdown

    Zelda has her first major mental health breakdown and is hospitalized

  • Publishes Tender Is the Night

    Semi-autobiographical novel reflects his life struggles and experiences in Europe

  • Hollywood Screenwriting

    Moves to Hollywood to write movie scripts, hoping to earn money after financial struggles

  • Death

    Fitzgerald dies of a heart attack in Hollywood at age 44