On September 24, 1896, Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald, an American writer and a prominent figure of the so-called “Lost Generation” in literature, was born. Fitzgerald gained widespread acclaim for his novel “The Great Gatsby,” published in 1925, along with a series of novels and stories capturing the essence of the American Jazz Age of the 1920s.

1. Birth and Early Life: Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, into a well-off Catholic Irish family.
2. Unique Namesake: He was named after his distant cousin, Francis Scott Key, the author of the U.S. national anthem “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
3. Influence of Zelda Sayre: During his military service, Fitzgerald met Zelda Sayre, hailing from a wealthy and respected family in Montgomery, Alabama. She would become a central figure in his subsequent biography and literary works.
4. Lavish Lifestyle: Scott and Zelda lived a flamboyant life, indulging in the vibrant, rich lifestyle of parties, receptions, and travels to European resorts. Their eccentric antics, from rooftop taxi rides to public fountain swims, made headlines in American high society.
5. Zelda’s Tragic Mental Health: In 1930, Zelda experienced a persistent mental breakdown, leading to a lifelong struggle with schizophrenia.
6. Personal Life as Literary Material: Fitzgerald drew inspiration from his personal life for his works, often using details from his wife’s diary, substituting names with fictional ones.
7. The Initial Struggles of “Gatsby”: Despite high expectations and thorough preparation, “The Great Gatsby” initially faced a setback. Only 21,000 copies were sold, two and a half times less than the first two books. The novel struggled to gain recognition, especially during the Great Depression, but ironically achieved greatness posthumously.
8. Real-Life Gatsby Mansion: The Gatsby mansion had a real-life counterpart — “Beacon Towers,” built in 1917 for Ava Belmont, a prominent American woman and suffragist leader. The castle was a fantasy of Gothic elements and Spanish motifs, demolished in 1945.
9. Fitzgerald’s Tragic End: Francis Scott Fitzgerald passed away in 1940 from a heart attack, in poverty and obscurity, at the age of 44.
10. Hemingway’s Homage: In 1950, Ernest Hemingway penned the autobiographical “A Moveable Feast,” dedicating many pages to Fitzgerald’s memory.