F. Scott Fitzgerald, hailed as a defining voice of the "Jazz Age," painted vivid portraits of 1920s America through his novels and short stories. His own life mirrored the opulence and turmoil of his characters, particularly in his tempestuous relationship with his wife, Zelda. The couple's extravagant lifestyle and Fitzgerald's literary contributions, despite initial dismissal, have left an indelible mark on American literature.

Early Life and Education

Born on September 24, 1896, in St. Paul, Minnesota, Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald grew up in a middle-class Catholic family. His parents, Edward and Mary McQuillan Fitzgerald, ensured he attended prestigious private schools. In 1913, Fitzgerald began his studies at Princeton University. Instead of focusing on academics, he poured his energy into writing for campus publications and participating in theater groups.

Military Service and Romance

The academic life was not entirely suited to Fitzgerald, leading to academic probation in 1917, which prompted his departure from Princeton to enlist in the army. During his military service, he was stationed in Montgomery, Alabama, where he met Zelda Sayre, a magnetically spirited debutante and daughter of a state supreme court judge. Their whirlwind romance led to marriage in 1920, coinciding with the release of Fitzgerald's debut novel, This Side of Paradise, which catapulted him to financial success.

The New York Years

Following their wedding, the Fitzgeralds moved to New York City. Scott found work writing for magazines, including the renowned Saturday Evening Post. They quickly embraced a lavish lifestyle, spending money as rapidly as it came in, epitomizing the era's exuberance and excess.

Further Literary Pursuits and Family Life

In 1921, Fitzgerald published his second novel, The Beautiful and the Damned, and welcomed his only child, Frances Scott. The following years were marked by a restless existence, with the family frequently relocating between American cities and European locales. This period was both a time of literary creation and tumult for Fitzgerald.

The Great Gatsby and Personal Struggles

1925 saw the publication of what would become Fitzgerald's most celebrated novel, The Great Gatsby. However, his reputation for excessive drinking and partying overshadowed his literary talent, leading to a lack of contemporary recognition. The couple's extravagant spending habits and frequent relocations added strain to their lives and marriage, which was further complicated by Zelda's deteriorating mental health, culminating in her first mental breakdown in 1930.

Later Works and Decline

Despite the eventual critical acclaim of Tender Is the Night, published in 1934, Fitzgerald found its initial reception disappointing. He spiraled into depression, exacerbated by financial woes and increasing alcohol dependency. In 1937, seeking stability, Fitzgerald moved to Hollywood to work as a screenwriter. Although financially lucrative, this venture did not fulfill his creative aspirations, and he struggled with the medium.

Final Years and Legacy

Fitzgerald's life came to an untimely end in Hollywood on December 21, 1940, when he succumbed to a heart attack. His unfinished novel, The Last Tycoon, was posthumously published in 1941. Zelda, whose life had been marred by her own battles with mental illness, tragically died in a hospital fire in 1948.

Posthumous Recognition

Though not immediately celebrated upon his passing, Fitzgerald's work experienced a renaissance in the 1950s. This revival reestablished him as a critical figure in American literature, a position he continues to hold in the cultural consciousness well into the 21st century.