The king of American literature, a master of the short form, and a Nobel Prize laureate. And at the same time, a war hero, an avid fisherman, and a man torn by inner demons. Ernest Hemingway remains one of the most fascinating figures of the 20th century. Discover five surprising facts about the author of For Whom the Bell Tolls that shed new light on his legend.
He survived two plane crashes in one week
In 1954, Hemingway set off with Mary, his fourth wife, on a safari in Africa. Their small plane crashed in the jungle. When rescuers sent a second plane for them, it also crashed during takeoff, with Hemingway on board.
He survived both crashes but suffered serious injuries to his head, back, and kidneys. Despite the pain and lasting health problems, he never stopped travelling.
Each of his wives received a book dedication
Hemingway was married four times, and each of his partners was honoured with a book dedication.
For his first wife, Hadley Richardson, it was The Sun Also Rises; for Pauline Pfeiffer, Death in the Afternoon; for Martha Gellhorn, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and for Mary Welsh, Across the River and Into the Trees. Though these relationships often ended turbulently, each woman left her mark on his work.
A decorated war hero
During World War I, young Hemingway volunteered with the Red Cross and served as an ambulance driver on the Italian front. Wounded by shrapnel, he carried an Italian soldier to safety under fire and was awarded Italy’s Silver Medal of Valour for his bravery.
In World War II, he was honoured with the American Bronze Star for “his courage under fire and for providing readers with vivid, colourful accounts from the front that went beyond the usual standards of a war correspondent.”
Record-holding fisherman and hunter
Hemingway loved nature and competitive sport. He spent months on hunting and fishing trips, catching marlins and tuna in the Caribbean.
In 1938, Hemingway set a world record by catching seven marlins in a single day. These experiences inspired him to write The Old Man and the Sea.
In childhood, his mother treated him like his sister’s twin
According to the Los Angeles Times, Hemingway’s mother, Grace, raised young Ernest and his older sister, Marceline, as if they were twins. She dressed them alike — often in dresses and identical hats, let their hair grow long, and called them “Dutch dollies.”
This unusual upbringing significantly influenced his sense of identity and contributed to the development of difficult family relationships later in life.
Hemingway and his final chapter
Ernest Hemingway was a complex man, both strong and sensitive. He loved life in all its intensity, but also struggled with depression. On July 2, 1961, he took his own life, leaving behind not only a canon of literary masterpieces but also questions about the price one pays for passion and a relentless drive for extreme experiences.
If you are struggling with dark thoughts, remember, you are not alone. Seek help, talk, and let others see your pain through their eyes. And don’t look away if you see someone else in need. There are places where you can find support:
- Befrienders Worldwide: https://www.befrienders.org – find helplines and crisis centres in your country.
- Samaritans (UK & Ireland): Call 116 123 or visit https://www.samaritans.org.
- Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (USA): Call or text 988 or chat via 988lifeline.org.
- In an emergency, always call your local emergency number (such as 112 or 911) or go to the nearest hospital.
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