The American novelist known for works like "The Great Gatsby" is F. Scott Fitzgerald. Published in 1925, the novel explores themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream through its tragic protagonist, Jay Gatsby. Fitzgerald's elegant prose captures the essence of the Jazz Age, reflecting the social changes and excesses of the 1920s. His portrayal of decadence and moral ambiguity in American society has cemented "The Great Gatsby" as one of the most significant literary works in American literature.