Jack London
John Griffith Chaney[1†], better known as Jack London[1†][2†], was born on January 12, , in San Francisco, California[1†][2†]. He was an American novelist, journalist, and activist[1†][2†]. A pioneer of commercial fiction and American magazines, he was one of the first American authors to become an international celebrity and earn a large fortune from writing[1†]. He was also an innovator in the genre that would later become known as science fiction[1†].
London was part of the radical literary group “The Crowd” in San Francisco and a passionate advocate of animal rights, workers’ rights, and socialism[1†]. He wrote several works dealing with these topics, such as his dystopian novel The Iron Heel, his non-fiction exposé The People of the Abyss, War of the Classes, and Before Adam[1†].
His most famous works include The Call of the Wild and White Fang, both set in Alaska and the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush, as well as the short stories “To Build a Fire”, “An Odyssey of the North”, and "Love of Life"[1†]. He also wrote about the South Pacific in stories such as “The Pearls of Parlay”, and "The Heathen"[1†].
Early Years and Education
Jack London was born on
Early Life and Family Background
John Griffith Chaney, later known as Jack London, was born on January 12, , in San Francisco, California. His mother, Flora Wellman, was a music teacher and a practitioner of spiritualism. Flora&#;s relationship with William Chaney, an astrologer and itinerant lawyer, ended acrimoniously before Jack was born, leaving Flora to raise Jack alone. Flora&#;s mental health suffered during this period, and she attempted suicide while pregnant with Jack. Shortly after his birth, Flora married John London, a part-time farmer and Civil War veteran, who provided Jack with a sense of stability.
Growing up in poverty, Jack experienced a transient and unstable childhood. The family moved frequently within the Bay Area, which meant that Jack often had to switch schools and struggle to adapt to new environments. Despite these challenges, Jack&#;s love for reading became a constant in his life, offering him an escape from his harsh realities.
Early Career and Self-Education
Due to financial constraints, Jack&#;s formal education was inconsistent. He attended Oakland High School sporadically and took on various jobs to support his family. At a young age,
Early Life and Education
Jack London, born John Griffith Chaney on January 12, , in San Francisco, California, came into the world under unusual circumstances. His mother, Flora Wellman, was an unconventional woman who practiced spiritualism and claimed to communicate with the spirit world. His father, William Chaney, a journalist, and lawyer who later became an astrologer, abandoned Flora before Jack was born. Flora suffered a mental breakdown, and Jack was raised by a former slave named Virginia Prentiss, who became a maternal figure in his life.
Jack took the surname of his stepfather, John London, a partially disabled Civil War veteran, after Flora married him in The family moved frequently, and young Jack experienced the hardships of poverty. Despite his tumultuous childhood, Jack developed a voracious appetite for reading. He borrowed books from libraries and read extensively, fostering a love for literature and adventure.
At 14, London dropped out of school and took up various jobs to support his family. He worked in a cannery, delivered newspapers, and labored in jute mills and power plants. His early exposure to the harsh realities of working-class life influenc
Jack London - A Biography
John Griffith "Jack" London was born on January 12, to a single mother in San Francisco. His mother, Flora Wellman, hired a former slave, Virginia "Jennie" Prentiss, to be a wet nurse for the boy. Prentiss ended up staying with the family and helping to raise Jack London. Due to his closeness to a black family London was the victim of bullying and grew up having to fight other children. When London was 15 years old, Prentiss loaned him the money to buy his first sailboat. She ended up becoming a well known figure in the local black community, being involved in groups such as the Federated Negro Woman's Club.
Being raised in a working class environment, London was mostly self-taught, relying largely on books from local libraries. Librarian Ina Coolbrith, (who became California's first poet laureate,) took London under her wing and helped guide his learning. At the same time he began working various jobs; newspaper boy, oyster pirate, laborer, factory worker, sailor, cannery worker, etc.
saw a large depression hit the United State's economy and the country was swept with labor protests. London joined Coxey's Army
Biographies you may also like
Purvi bhave biography of michael jackson Michael Jackson was more than a singer and dancer; he was a trailblazer. His talent and vision revolutionized music, leaving a lasting mark on popular culture. Despite personal Missing: purvi bhave.
Dorji wangmo wangchuck biography of michael jackson Who is Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck? Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck is a former queen of Bhutan and first wife of former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who is married to four sisters .
Shaykh muhammad al luhaidan biography examples Shaykh Salih Al-Luhaidan was an Islamic scholar. He was the Assistant to the Chief of the High Court of Riyadh. Shaykh Salih Al-Luhaidan was born in in Bukayriyah in the Missing: examples.
The ink spots biography of abraham lincoln Learn about the life, leadership, and legacy of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, in this informative essay.
Marissa sue prado biography of william hill Marissa Tansino Biography Marissa Tansino is a famous American journalist working as a news anchor and reporter at WMUR 9 ABC News in Manchester, New Missing: william hill.
Ja rule born rich As of , Ja Rule’s net worth is estimated to be around $4 million. While his wealth has fluctuated over the years, largely due to his involvement in various business .
Elizabeth stone author biography in the back Elizabeth Stone teaches English and media studies at Fordham University. Her critically acclaimed nonfiction work A Boy I Once Knew: What a Teacher Learned from Her Student .