Jack London, originally named John Griffith London (1876-1916), was born in San Francisco, California to an unwed mother who later married John London. An adventurist and political activist, London is one of America's most successful writers. London wrote short stories, novels, and political essays, and is best known for his works The Call of the Wild and White Fang. He used his travels as inspiration for many of his works. London's 1913 novel The Sea-Wolf became the basis for one of America's first movies. He was also one of the first celebrities to endorse products in advertisements, including grape juice and men's suits.http://london.sonoma.edu/jackbio.html
London was famous during his life, and he used his platform to promote women's suffrage, prohibition, and Socialism. He was also an avid farmer, and his ideas for a self-sufficient ranch were ahead of his time, some say.http://london.sonoma.edu/jackbio.html
His best known short story, To Build a Fire, is required reading in many American schools. He actually published two versions of the story. Young readers enjoy a happy ending, while adults get a more severe take on the main character's predicament.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_London#Short_stories
Career
London married twice and admits that his first wife was chosen for good breeding, not love. He then had an affair and married his second wife, whom he called his "Mate Woman."
London died at the age of 40 after developing kidney disease. Although he has been accused of plagiarism and being an alcoholic womanizer, his works have been translated into at least seven languages and are widely read throughout the world. Mount London, at the Alaska-British Columbia border, is named after him, as well as Jack London Square in Oakland, California. London remains one of America's most beloved authors.
Quotes
“The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”http://thinkexist.com/quotes/jack_london/
“A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog.”http://thinkexist.com/quotes/jack_london/
“I write for no other purpose than to add to the beauty that now belongs to me. I write a book for no other reason than to add three or four hundred acres to my magnificent estate.”http://thinkexist.com/quotes/jack_london/
