Ernest Hemingway's Milestones

Ernest Hemingway was an American novelist and journalist, Nobel laureate, known for his concise prose, adventurous life, and influential works like The Old Man and the Sea and A Farewell to Arms.
1899

Birth

Ernest Hemingway was born in Oak Park, Illinois, to Clarence and Grace Hemingway.

Family July 21, 1899
1905

Early education

Attended Oak Park and River Forest High School, excelling in English and journalism.

Education September 1, 1905 - June 1, 1917
1917

Reporter for The Kansas City Star

Worked as a cub reporter for The Kansas City Star, learning concise writing style.

Career October 1, 1917 - April 30, 1918
1918

Ambulance driver in WWI

Served as an ambulance driver in Italy during World War I; wounded in action and awarded the Italian Silver Medal of Bravery.

Other June 8, 1918 - January 21, 1919
1921

First marriage

Married Hadley Richardson, his first of four wives.

Relationship September 3, 1921

Move to Paris

Moved to Paris, joining the expatriate 'Lost Generation' literary community.

Location December 20, 1921 - March 1, 1928
1926

Published 'The Sun Also Rises'

Published 'The Sun Also Rises,' establishing his literary reputation.

Achievement October 22, 1926
1927

Second marriage

Married Pauline Pfeiffer.

Relationship May 10, 1927
1929

Published 'A Farewell to Arms'

Published 'A Farewell to Arms,' gaining international acclaim.

Achievement September 27, 1929
1937

Spanish Civil War reporting

Reported on the Spanish Civil War, inspiring his novel 'For Whom the Bell Tolls.'

Career March 1, 1937 - December 31, 1938
1940

Published 'For Whom the Bell Tolls'

Published 'For Whom the Bell Tolls,' considered one of his masterpieces.

Achievement October 21, 1940

Third marriage

Married Martha Gellhorn.

Relationship November 21, 1940
1944

WWII correspondent

Covered the D-Day landings and liberation of Paris as a war correspondent.

Career June 6, 1944 - May 8, 1945
1946

Fourth marriage

Married Mary Welsh.

Relationship March 14, 1946
1953

African safaris and plane crashes

Survived two plane crashes in Africa, sustaining serious injuries.

Other January 1, 1953 - February 1, 1954

Won Pulitzer Prize

Awarded the Pulitzer Prize for 'The Old Man and the Sea.'

Achievement May 4, 1953
1954

Won Nobel Prize

Received the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Achievement October 28, 1954
1959

Declining health

Struggled with physical and mental health issues in his final years.

Other January 1, 1959 - July 2, 1961
1961

Death

Ernest Hemingway died by suicide in Ketchum, Idaho, at approximately 7:00 a.m. local time.

Other July 2, 1961