Learn How This Kentucky Hotel Inspired F. Scott Fitzergald’s Novel “The Great Gatsby”

The Great Gatsby is an iconic piece of American literature, considered by many to be the greatest novel of all time. F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote the semi-autobiographical novel back in 1925 and since then it has become required reading for students everywhere. The book, or at least certain aspects of the story, was inspired by real people and situations in F. Scott Fitzgerald's life, and it was also inspired by one of the most iconic hotels in Louisville, KY.

Never Read It? Here's What You Missed

No spoilers here, I promise, just a very brief description of The Great Gatsby, courtesy of Barnes & Noble...

Where Gatsby Was Born...Apparently

F. Scott Fitzgerald spent quite a bit of time at the Seelbach Hotel in Louisville, KY, and credits the hotel for providing inspiration for The Great Gatsby. One room in particular - the Seelbach Ballroom - was used as the setting for the wedding reception for two of the book's main characters. It is also rumored that the book's title character, Jay Gatsby, was inspired by a man Fitzgerald met at a bar in the Seelbach.

Larry Johnson is a Seelbach historian and the hotel's concierge. Here he tells of Fitzgerald's early days at the Seelbach.

Gangsters and Ghosts

F. Scott Fitzgerald is not the only interesting piece in the Seelbach's history - back in the day, the hotel was also a popular spot for gangsters like Al Capone. Following the tragic death of a young woman at the hotel in 1936, the legend of the "Lady in Blue" was born. Mr. Johnson tells those tales in the videos below.