Enlisting in the army in 1917, he was sent to Camp Sheridan in Montgomery, where he met the woman who became his wife

Monday’s Final Jeopardy clue fell under the category American Authors:

“Enlisting in the army in 1917, he was sent to Camp Sheridan in Montgomery, where he met the woman who became his wife.”

Who is F. Scott Fitzgerald?

F. Scott Fitzgerald, best known for The Great Gatsby, was a significant figure in American literature, capturing the Jazz Age’s excess and struggles in his writing. His time at Camp Sheridan during World War I was pivotal in both his personal and professional life, as it was there that he met Zelda Sayre, who would become his wife and lifelong muse.

Fitzgerald’s Time at Camp Sheridan

In 1917, amid the United States’ involvement in World War I, Fitzgerald left Princeton University and joined the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant. He was assigned to Camp Sheridan, a military training base near Montgomery, Alabama. While he never saw combat, his time at the camp had a profound impact on his life.

It was in Montgomery that Fitzgerald met Zelda Sayre, a young woman from a prominent Southern family. She was known for her beauty, intelligence, and free-spirited nature. Their romance developed quickly, but Zelda was hesitant to commit to marriage due to Fitzgerald’s uncertain financial future. This led him to focus on his writing, determined to achieve literary success.

The Influence of Zelda Sayre

Zelda eventually agreed to marry Fitzgerald after he secured a publishing deal for his first novel, This Side of Paradise, in 1920. The book’s success allowed them to marry and embark on a life of glamour and literary prominence. Zelda’s influence on Fitzgerald’s work was profound—she not only inspired characters in his novels but also contributed her own writing to their shared legacy.

Their relationship was both passionate and tumultuous, with their extravagant lifestyle and struggles with mental health taking a toll. Despite their personal difficulties, Zelda remained an essential figure in Fitzgerald’s life and writing, shaping many of his most famous works.

Fitzgerald’s Legacy in American Literature

Fitzgerald’s literary career extended beyond The Great Gatsby, with works like The Beautiful and Damned, Tender Is the Night, and The Last Tycoon further cementing his reputation. Though he experienced financial struggles and waning popularity later in life, his work saw a revival in the mid-20th century and is now considered essential reading in American literature.

His depiction of the Roaring Twenties, the American Dream, and the complexities of human relationships remains widely studied and admired. His time in Montgomery, where he met Zelda, is often viewed as a turning point that set the course for both his literary career and personal life.

Conclusion

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s time at Camp Sheridan was more than a brief military posting—it was where he met Zelda Sayre, the woman who would become a central figure in his life and work. Their relationship, with its highs and lows, influenced some of the most celebrated literature of the 20th century.

While Fitzgerald never saw battle, his experiences in Montgomery shaped his artistic direction and personal aspirations. His legacy endures through his novels, which continue to be read and analyzed for their insight into American society and human ambition.