Jack London Biography
John Griffith “Jack” London was born on January 12, 1876 in San Francisco, CA. Although London originally had the surname Griffith, when his mother married John London later in 1876, the couple had the infant’s name changed to London.
London worked many different, unique jobs in his youth. His occupations ranged from pirating for oysters on San Francisco Bay to running for mayor of San Francisco on the socialist ticket. London became an author to escape the drudgery of a potential life as factory worker. London spent the summer of 1897 in the Yukon, where he gained many of the experiences he used to write some of his most popular stories. He published his most popular book, Call of the Wild in 1903.
London was a social activist who promoted socialism, women’s suffrage, prohibition, and social Darwinism. Along with using his fame to promote his political beliefs, he was one of the first celebrities who endorsed a product through advertising.
London was married in 1900 to Bess Maddern. The couple had two children, which they named after themselves. “In choosing her, he followed the precept in a book he co-wrote with Anna Strunsky, The Kempton-Wace Letters, that mates should be selected for good breeding, not love. (Bess agreed.) Following an affair with "New Woman" Charmian Kittredge, five years his senior, he divorced Bess. In 1905 he married his "Mate Woman," who became the persona for many of his female characters and who avidly joined him on his many travel ventures.”
London died of kidney failure on his family’s ranch on November 22, 1916.
Works Cited
Stasz, Clarice, Dr. "Jack London: Biography." Jack London: Biography. Dr. Clarice Stasz, 19 Aug. 2001. Web. 15 Jan.
London worked many different, unique jobs in his youth. His occupations ranged from pirating for oysters on San Francisco Bay to running for mayor of San Francisco on the socialist ticket. London became an author to escape the drudgery of a potential life as factory worker. London spent the summer of 1897 in the Yukon, where he gained many of the experiences he used to write some of his most popular stories. He published his most popular book, Call of the Wild in 1903.
London was a social activist who promoted socialism, women’s suffrage, prohibition, and social Darwinism. Along with using his fame to promote his political beliefs, he was one of the first celebrities who endorsed a product through advertising.
London was married in 1900 to Bess Maddern. The couple had two children, which they named after themselves. “In choosing her, he followed the precept in a book he co-wrote with Anna Strunsky, The Kempton-Wace Letters, that mates should be selected for good breeding, not love. (Bess agreed.) Following an affair with "New Woman" Charmian Kittredge, five years his senior, he divorced Bess. In 1905 he married his "Mate Woman," who became the persona for many of his female characters and who avidly joined him on his many travel ventures.”
London died of kidney failure on his family’s ranch on November 22, 1916.
Works Cited
Stasz, Clarice, Dr. "Jack London: Biography." Jack London: Biography. Dr. Clarice Stasz, 19 Aug. 2001. Web. 15 Jan.
Cited: Stasz, Clarice, Dr. "Jack London: Biography." Jack London: Biography. Dr. Clarice Stasz, 19 Aug. 2001. Web. 15 Jan. 2013.