Season 1, Episode 2: JFK and Ernest Hemingway

About this Episode

Listen to this episode on SoundCloud.

View the transcript for this episode.

He won a Pulitzer Prize. He traveled the globe. He experienced war firsthand. He influenced generations of people to do more. The legends surrounding him often overshadow the man he actually was.

But we're not talking about John F. Kennedy. We're talking about Ernest Hemingway.

Join us for our second episode of JFK35, where we examine how the acclaimed American author found his way into the archives at the JFK Library.

Special thanks to this episode's guest, Dr. Hilary Justice, Hemingway Specialist at the JFK Library Foundation.

What We Talked About


Copy of Senator John F. Kennedy's letter to Ernest Hemingway, asking the origin of the writer's definition of courage as "grace under pressure." JFKPP-031-014-p0014. 

View full version.



Ernest Hemingway: A Life Inspired exhibit



Ernest Hemingway with marlin on the Pilar, 1948. EH3208



Ernest Hemingway wearing a fake mustache and pretending to box. Caption on verso: "Yours for clean sport, John L. Sullivan," circa 1920. EH06947P


Learn More

More about Ernest Hemingway: A Life Inspired.

View more photos from the Ernest Hemingway Collection.

If you have a story idea or want to let us know how we're doing, you can email us at JFK35Pod@jfklfoundation.org.