The Other Side of Paradise

Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald was born on September 24, 1896. He was an American fiction writer during the Jazz Age (1930’s) and he achieved a bit of fame. But it wasn't until he died that he got critical acclaim. Fitzgerald is now one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century. His work included: This Side of Paradise, which was his first book, he also wrote the beautiful novel, The Great Gatsby. He did write many more novels and short stories, and continues to be an inspiration for modern storytellers.

Fitzgerald was part of the “Lost Generation,” which was anyone who lived through WWI. The Great War influenced many writers and artists of that era.

Fitzgerald was married to Zelda Sayre in 1920, and they had one child, whose name was Frances Scott Fitzgerald. Scottie was her nickname and, like her father, she was a journalist.

F. Scott was plagued with an alcohol addiction, and was untrue to his wife. Zelda was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and spent a lot of time in and out of hospitals. While his wife was in the hospital, Fitzgerald started having an affair with Sheilah Graham (a gossip columnist).

On December 20, 1940, Fitzgerald and Graham attended a movie at the theater, as the two were leaving, Fitzgerald experienced a dizzy spell and had trouble getting out of the theater. The following day, Fitzgerald was reading a newspaper when Sheliah saw him jump from his chair, grab the mantelpiece, gasp, and fall to the floor. She rushed to alert the manager of the building. Upon entering the apartment to assist Fitzgerald, the manager realized what happened and stated, "I'm afraid he's dead." Fitzgerald had died of a heart attack at age 44. Zelda died seven years later in a fire at the hospital.