The Beautiful and Damned , F. Scott Fitzgerald's second novel, tells the story of Anthony Patch (a 1920s socialite and presumptive heir to a tycoon's fortune), and the relationship with his wife Gloria, his service in the army, and alcoholism. The novel explores the era's generational conflict and provides a portrait of the lives of the era's Eastern elites. As all of his other novels; it is a brilliant character study and also is an early account of the complexities of marriage and intimacy that were further explored in Tender is the Night. The book is believed to be largely based on Fitzgerald's relationship and marriage with Zelda Fitzgerald. F.Scott Fitzgerald, photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1937 F. Scott Fitzgerald (September 24, 1896 – December 21, 1940) was an Irish-American Jazz Age novelist and short story writer. ... It has been suggested that Roaring Twenties be merged into this article or section. ... Fitzgerald or FitzGerald is a Hiberno-Norman surname, meaning son of Gerald. It may refer to: People Barry Fitzgerald (1888–1961), Irish actor. ... Zelda Fitzgerald Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald (July 24, 1900 - March 10, 1948), born Zelda Sayre in Montgomery, Alabama, was the wife of writer F. Scott Fitzgerald, whom she married in 1920. ...