A Short Biography

Ernest Hemingway was born in Oakland, Illinois on July 21^st, 1899 and was the first son in a family of seven, including both his parents. Using his own social experiences with his family he began to write short stories that used fictional character Nick Adams as an autobiographical protagonist. His parents nurtured him despite their rocky relationship, to become an adult who appreciated both the arts and nature.

He gained experience writing for his school newspaper in progressive Oakland city and it eventually lead him to take up a position with the Kansas City Star, his first serious introduction to the world of publishing. After almost a year, Hemingway left the Star to join the American Red Cross and fight in World War I in April of 1918.

Coming home from the war in 1919, Hemingway continued his career in journalism and went on to work for The Toronto Star in Canada and had his first of four marriages in 1921. Soon after, he met Sherwood Anderson who would eventually befriend him and convince him to move to Paris. This is where Hemingway eventually became a part of what is referred to as “The Lost Generation,” which includes great authors such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, T.S. Eliot, and James Joyce.  

With the publication of The Sun Also Rises in 1926, Hemingway had written what would be considered his most powerful novel, as it reflected a specific demographic – the post-war expatriates of the fading roaring 20’s. Hemingway moved his life around to many places – Key West, Africa, Cuba and finally Idaho – and fought in World War II in between his migrating. In 1954 he won the Nobel Peace Prize and took his own life in 1961, leaving three sons.