This Week In American History: On July 21, 1899 Ernest Hemingway was born in Oak Park, Illinois. He is considered one of the greatest authors of the 20th century: known for writing “A Farewell to Arms”, “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, and “The Old Man and the Sea” which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1953.
Ernest Hemingway’s Beginnings
Hemingway was born on July 21, 1899 in Oak Park, Illinois to Clarence and Grace Hemingway. Hemingway grew up in the conservative suburb of Chicago. However, his family also owned a cabin in northern Michigan. As a young boy, Hemingway spent a great deal of time at his family cabin in Michigan. He learned to hunt and fish at his family’s cabin. It’s also where he learned his appreciation of the outdoors.
In high school, Hemingway grew into a budding writer. He worked on his school newspaper where he wrote primarily about sports. Upon graduating, Hemingway went to work for the Kansas City Star, a local newspaper.
Ernest Hemingway Serves In World War I & The Inspiration For A Farewell To Arms
Hemingway served in World War I as an ambulance driver in the Italian Army. He was awarded the Italian Silver Medal of Bravery for his service. However, he suffered injuries which landed him in a Milan hospital.
While at the hospital in Milan, Hemingway met Agnes von Kurowsky, a nurse. They fell in love and Agnes accepted Hemingway’s marriage proposal. Unfortunately, Agnes ended up leaving Hemingway for another man. Agnes’ betrayal ended up being the inspiration for Hemingway’s novel A Farewell To Arms.
Ernest Hemingway Returns to the United States
Hemingway returned to the United States at the tender age of twenty. He spent time in northern Michigan before taking a job as a journalist at the Toronto Star. Eventually, Hemingway moved to Chicago. While in Chicago, Hemingway met Hadley Richardson, his first wife. Hemingway and Richardson moved to Paris together. While in Paris, Hemingway worked as a foreign correspondent for the Toronto Star.
Ernest Hemingway Moves to Paris & the Writing of The Sun Also Rises
In Europe, Hemingway and Richardson joined a group of British and American expatriates in 1925 and took a trip to the Festival of San Fermin in Pamplona, Spain. The festival ended up providing the basis of Hemingway’s novel The Sun Also Rises.
Ernest Hemingway Returns to the United States & Finishes A Farewell To Arms
Shortly after the publication of The Sun Also Rises, Hemingway and Richardson divorced. Hemingway remarried shortly afterwards. This time to a woman named Pauline Pfeiffer. When Pfeiffer became pregnant, she and Hemingway decided to move back to America. They settled in Key West, Florida in 1928. However, they summered in Wyoming. Hemingway finished A Farewell To Arms during this time in his life.
Ernest Hemingway Chases Adventure in the ’30s & The Inspiration For For Whom The Bells Toll
Hemingway chased adventure in the 1930s: big-game hunting in Africa, bull fighting in Spain and deep-sea fishing in Florida. He also reported on the Spanish Civil War in 1937. While reporting on the Spanish Civil War, Hemingway gathered material for his next novel: For Whom the Bells Toll. This novel saw Hemingway nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.
Ernest Hemingway Serves As A War Correspondent During World War II
When the United States entered World War II in 1941 Hemingway served as a correspondent. Hemingway was present at several of the war’s key moments, including the D-Day landing.
Ernest Hemingway Receives the Pulitzer Prize for The Old Man and the Sea
Hemingway wrote his most famous book, The Old Man and the Sea, in 1951. He received the Pulitzer Prize for this piece of work; something that as a writer he had long hoped for.
Ernest Hemingway’s Trip To Africa in the ’50s
In the 1950s, Hemingway continued his trips into Africa. Unfortunately, he sustained several injuries during his trips; he even survived multiple plane crashes.
Ernest Hemingway Receives the Nobel Prize & His Deteriorating Health
1954 saw Hemingway awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. However, even at the peak of his literary career, both Hemingway’s body and mind began to betray him. Hemingway suffered from severe depression. Doctors also treated him for numerous conditions such as high blood pressure and liver disease.
Ernest Hemingway’s Last Work: A Moveable Feast
Hemingway wrote his last work A Moveable Feast, a memoir of his years in Paris, before retiring to Idaho. While in Idaho Hemingway’s battle with his mental and physical health grew harder.
Ernest Hemingway’s Death
Tragically, Hemingway committed suicide on July 2, 1961 in his Ketchum home in Idaho. He was only 61 years old.
Ernest Hemingway’s Legacy
Even sixty years after his passing, Hemingway is still considered one of the greatest authors of the 20th century. His writing style continues to influence writers today and his creative talent is matched by few.
The Merdes Law Firm has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do. ~ Ward Merdes
Info Source: Biography.com
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons
