Although The Great Gatsby is considered a literary classic now, it wasn’t always well-loved. In 1929, four years after it was published, Fitzgerald earned royalties as small as $5.10 and $0.34 for the American and English editions of the novel, and it sold fewer than 25,000 copies in his lifetime. His last royalty cheque only amounted to $13.13, which came from copies he purchased for himself. [1]
Renowned American novelist and short story writer, F. Scott Fitzgerald lived the high life and earned a fortune, but he squandered it all. The final chapter in his life was tumultuous and challenging and, on 21 December 1940, he died at the age of just 44. During his lifetime, he published four novels, four story collections, and more than 160 short stories.
Born on 24 September 1896, in Minnesota, USA, Fitzgerald rose to prominence during the Jazz Age. His most famous work, The Great Gatsby, published in April 1925 is considered a classic of American literature.
Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda, married in 1920 and were known for their extravagant parties and lavish lifestyle. They frequented the social scenes of New York and Paris, mingling with other literary and artistic figures of the time. The couple enjoyed the nightlife, dancing, and vibrant social atmosphere that defined the era.
But as the 1920s came to a close, so did the era of excess and extravagance that Fitzgerald had captured so well in his writing. Financial troubles plagued them, and they faced significant personal challenges. Zelda suffered from mental health issues, including schizophrenia, which put a considerable strain on their marriage. This difficult period took a toll on Fitzgerald’s own mental and emotional well-being, and he struggled with alcoholism and faced a decline in his literary career. His later novels, such as Tender Is the Night, did not receive the same acclaim as The Great Gatsby.
In an attempt to revive his career and escape financial difficulties, Fitzgerald moved to Hollywood in the early 1930s to work as a screenwriter. However, he found it challenging to adapt to the demands of the film industry, and success eluded him.
F. Scott Fitzgerald suffered a heart attack and died in Hollywood, California on 21 December 1940 and only thirty people attended his funeral. Among the attendees were his only child, Scottie, his agent Harold Ober, and his lifelong editor Maxwell Perkins. His final resting place is beside his wife in St Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Rockville, Maryland. Written on their gravestone is the final line of The Great Gatsby: “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
His final novel, The Last Tycoon, remained unfinished at the time of his death. Fitzgerald’s works continue to be celebrated and studied. The Great Gatsby has achieved the status of a classic, and Fitzgerald’s exploration of the American Dream and the complexities of human relationships continues to resonate with readers today.
Susannah Fullerton: F. Scott Fitzgerald is born
Susannah Fullerton: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s first book is published
Susannah Fullerton: The Beautiful and Damned is published
Susannah Fullerton: F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Sayre marry
Susannah Fullerton: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is published
Susannah Fullerton: Zelda Fitzgerald dies
The Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum
The F. Scott Fitzgerald Society