Francis Scott Fitzgerald, "The curious case of Benjamin Button"

F. Scott Fitzgerald created the novella "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" as a short story, originally published in Collier's magazine in 1922.

It tells the tale of Benjamin, son of Roger Button, who was born as an old man and who, over the course of his life, miraculously ages backward. Beginning life as an octogenarian in his crib, Benjamin grows "older" while his body, conversely, appears younger and younger with each passing birthday. The story takes us through Benjamin's entire life: his difficult adolescence, his marriage, life as a soldier and father, and, ultimately, his inevitable descent into infanthood.

At once hilarious, frightening, and satiric, Fitzgerald's wonderful story has been adapted for both the stage and screen.