JOURNAL ARTICLE

Ernest Hemingway's Lead Poisoning: A Contributing Neurotoxin to His Mental Illness?

  • Published In: Hemingway Review, 2026, v. 45, n. 2. P. 68 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Rossi, Scott 3 of 3

Abstract

New medical terminology will be introduced into the lexicon of Hemingway scholarship with this article, regarding Ernest Hemingway's mental health: lead poisoning. The known causes of his depression include family genetics, alcoholism, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) from his concussions, type II diabetes, and post-traumatic stress order (PTSD). Michael Reynolds pointed out that the Mayo Clinic believed he may have had Hemochromatosis, known as iron toxicity. Reynolds also noted that Ernest and his father had identical symptoms by the end of their lives, yet Clarence had no known concussions. Could toxic heavy metal exposures have played a role? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional Information

  • Source:Hemingway Review. 2026/03, Vol. 45, Issue 2, p68
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:History
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:0276-3362
  • Accession Number:193169116
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