7 Roaring Fun Facts About F. Scott Fitzgerald: From Paris Escapades to Literary Genius

1. Frenemies with Hemingway

F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway were the original frenemies, treating the literary world like a 1920s version of Celebrity Deathmatch - though their wrestling arena mainly consisted of ink and paper, not the clay and goo of MTV's fleeting glory days: It's true, the two iconic writers shared an intriguing friendship filled with creative rivalry, as they'd feud over each other's work, like Hemingway's harsh critique of Fitzgerald's novel, which he later apologized for, and despite their tiffs, they greatly respected each other's talent, with Hemingway even acting as a pallbearer at Fitzgerald's funeral.
Source => sc.edu

2. Teenage Sherlock

Before he was busy coining the term "The Jazz Age," F. Scott Fitzgerald was just your regular Sherlock-in-training: At the ripe age of thirteen, he published his first detective story in his school newspaper, showcasing his literary prowess early on. Following a few academic hiccups, he waltzed his way into Princeton University, penning scripts and lyrics for musicals performed by the famed Princeton Triangle Club.
Source => sc.edu

Did you know the infamous Zodiac Killer may have been inspired by a 1932 movie adaptation of a short story? Discover the chilling connection and how it played a role in one of his tragic attacks.

=> Fun Facts about Literature

3. Gatsby Cover Inspo

When Francis Cugat painted the town red, F. Scott Fitzgerald took it to heart - and page: The iconic cover art for "The Great Gatsby" not only dazzled readers, but also enchanted Fitzgerald so much that he integrated its celestial flapper and streaming tear into the novel, ultimately influencing descriptions like Daisy Buchanan's floating face and T.J. Eckleburg's eerie billboard in the Valley of Ashes.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Hollywood Rewrite Woes

When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade, but when life gave F. Scott Fitzgerald scripts, Hollywood made, well, rewrites: Despite his talents and having written numerous screenplays in his two and a half years stint, including "Three Comrades," Fitzgerald sadly ended up with only one credited screenplay, as most of his work was heavily rewritten by producers.
Source => nytimes.com

5. Professional Home Hopper

Oh, the places you'll go: a slogan coined by F. Scott Fitzgerald before Dr. Seuss could even lift a pen! As a professional home hopper, our beloved author went from New York City to Connecticut, Paris, Rome, and many a fancy hotel in between. This constant change of scenery did wonders for his wanderlust, but it was also a means to dodge his inner party animal and locate some peace and quiet for his beloved craft. In addition, this lifestyle allowed him to follow his wife, Zelda, on her psychiatric appointments, effectively manifesting a twisted version of "’til death do us part": No matter the asylum, Fitzgerald would always reserve a room nearby.
Source => history.com

6. OHEKA Castle Muse

If OHEKA Castle had a dating profile, it would read "I love long walks on the beach, opulent soirees, and being the muse for famous authors during the Roaring Twenties": F. Scott Fitzgerald was enchanted by the extravagant parties thrown at Otto Hermann Kahn's OHEKA Castle on Long Island, using it as a major inspiration for both West and East Egg in his legendary novel, The Great Gatsby. Although Gatsby's mansion wasn't actually based on the castle, its luxurious allure continues to captivate partygoers and Fitzgerald fans alike to this day.
Source => noblemanmagazine.com

7. Boozy Study Buddies

Despite failing to make the silver screen, F. Scott Fitzgerald found a study buddy who most certainly made the cut: Once upon a Hollywood time, the literary icon and director extraordinaire Billy Wilder made drinking at the Garden of Allah hotel in West Hollywood their preferred method of drowning their screenwriting sorrows.
Source => lamag.com