A legendary writer who crafted sparse, powerful prose, capturing the human experience in novels like "The Old Man and the Sea" and "A Farewell to Arms".
Ernest Hemingway is renowned for his sparse, powerful prose and his adventurous, often tumultuous, life. As a novelist, short-story writer, and journalist, he has left an indelible mark on modern literature, influencing generations of writers and shaping the literary landscape of the 20th century.
Hemingway was born on July 21, 1899, in Oak Park, Illinois, and grew up in a conservative family with a strong emphasis on outdoor activities. After high school, he worked as a cub reporter for The Kansas City Star before enlisting in the Red Cross as an ambulance driver during World War I. His experiences in Italy, where he was seriously wounded in 1918, would later become the basis for his novel A Farewell to Arms.
In the 1920s, Hemingway joined the Lost Generation of expatriate writers and artists in Paris, where he was heavily influenced by modernist luminaries like Gertrude Stein, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and James Joyce. During this period, he began to develop his distinctive writing style, characterized by simplicity, clarity, and a focus on concrete, descriptive details.
Hemingway's literary output includes seven novels, six short-story collections, and two nonfiction works. Some of his most notable works include:
Hemingway was awarded the 1954 Nobel Prize in Literature, and three of his novels, four short-story collections, and three nonfiction works were published posthumously.
Hemingway was known for his larger-than-life personality, his love of big-game hunting, and his tumultuous relationships with women. He married four times, to Hadley Richardson, Pauline Pfeiffer, Martha Gellhorn, and Mary Welsh, and had numerous affairs and relationships throughout his life.
Despite his literary successes, Hemingway struggled with depression and physical injuries throughout his life. He died on July 2, 1961, at the age of 61, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Hemingway's influence on modern literature is immense. His sparse, direct prose has influenced writers like Raymond Carver, Cormac McCarthy, and Hunter S. Thompson, and his emphasis on concrete, descriptive details has shaped the way writers approach descriptive writing.
In addition to his literary legacy, Hemingway's adventurous lifestyle and public persona have made him an iconic figure in American popular culture, symbolizing a rugged, macho ideal of masculinity.
Hemingway was known for his pithy, insightful quotes and sayings, including:
Hemingway's literary legacy continues to inspire and influence writers, readers, and scholars around the world, cementing his place as one of the most important and iconic writers of the 20th century.
Born in 1896
Author of novels and short stories that capture the essence of the Jazz Age, exploring themes of wealth, class, and the American Dream. Known for timeless classics like "The Great Gatsby" and "Tender Is the Night".
Born in 1874
A pioneering figure in modernist literature, known for experimental writing styles and influential salons that fostered artistic innovation. 82
Born in 1882
A pioneering modernist writer, known for experimental novels and short stories that explore the human experience, particularly in Dublin, Ireland. His works are celebrated for their complex, lyrical prose and innovative narrative structures.
Born in 1885
A pioneering modernist poet and critic who transformed 20th-century literature with innovative styles and provocative ideas, shaping the course of modern poetry.
Born in 1876
A pioneering writer of modernist fiction, known for his innovative and influential short stories that explored the American psyche and the human condition.
Born in 1896
A pioneering writer of the Lost Generation, known for experimental novels that capture the spirit of early 20th-century America, blending fiction and journalism.
Born in 1873
A pioneering modernist writer, credited with influencing 20th-century literature through experimental novels and poetry that explored the human condition. Known for his impressionistic style and complex characters.
Born in 1893
A witty and insightful writer who crafted poetry, short stories, and critiques that continue to delight readers with their clever wordplay and sharp observations.
