The Ernest Hemingway Photograph Collection is the John F. Kennedy Library’s single best audiovisual collection to illustrate the life of Ernest Hemingway. This collection, which contains over 11,000 images plus six childhood scrapbooks, was collected by Ernest Hemingway himself and donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library by his widow, Mary Hemingway. The collection is organized in series covering family photos and major places or events of importance in Hemingway’s life.
The Library also collects other Hemingway materials, including unique photographs, moving images, and sound recordings. We have a very small collection of archival footage featuring Ernest Hemingway as well as televised dramatizations of his books and documentaries about the author. We also have a limited number of sound recordings that include interviews about Hemingway, readings of his books, and several recordings of Hemingway speaking.
If you would like more information about the audiovisual holdings (including duplication services), or wish to make an appointment to use the audiovisual research room, please email us at JFK.avarchives@nara.gov or call 617-514-1622.
The Media Gallery provides a selection of images from the Ernest Hemingway Photograph Collection.
Listen to Ernest Hemingway reading his remarks on receiving the Nobel Prize.