Jack London 1876-1916

Jack London took his place in American literature at the beginning of the twentieth century. At that time, the library shelves and bookshops of America were already full of books by well-known authors. But Jack London’s stories were new stories. Jack London made a huge impact on the writing society. The books he wrote opened the minds of many readers, young and old. His books included philosophy, nature, and rules of life. He loved to share his thoughts to the public and make it so that his voice was heard.

Jack London’s credo I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them, I shall use my time.»

London’s life was not easy London’s life was not easy. And it was not long – he lived less than forty years. But he saw more and did more during those years than many other men see and do in almost a century.

John Griffith "Jack" London was born on 12 January 1876 in San Francisco. His mother, Flora Wellman, lived in Ohio but then moved to San Francisco where she worked as a music teacher. Some biographers suppose that Jack London’s father was William Chaney who lived with Flora Wellman in San Francisco. The house where Jack London spent his childhood was destroyed after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

His adopted father, John London, was poor, and there were many other children in the family. They always needed money and Jack, who was older than the other children, had to help as much as he could. When he was only eight years old, he was already selling newspapers and going to school at the same time. In 1885 London read Ouida's long Victorian novel Signia. Jack London maintained that this book was the beginning of his literary career. In 1886 he got acquainted with Ina Coolbrith who was a librarian in the Oakland Public Library. She encouraged London’s learning.

But after a few years, he had to leave school and go to work But after a few years, he had to leave school and go to work. By the time Jack was12, he, like many other poor boys in California, found the South Seas, work on the ships that went from America to the countries of the East and to the islands of South Seas.

There he saw wonderful places: beautiful green islands in the endless blue sea, and high mountains that threw red fire into the black night sky. But the ships paid boys very little, and when Jack came back to California he had almost nothing. So he left home again, this time to look for work in big cities of the United States, and on the great lakes and rivers of Canada. He never had a day’s rest and he worked from morning till night.

1889: Jack worked at Hickmott’s Cannery. 1891: Jack bought Razzle Dazzle, a skiff, and began to steal from oyster beds. 1892: Jack joined the California Fish Patrol. 1893: Jack joined the Sophia Sutherland for a 7-month sailing voyage.

1895: Jack completed Oakland High School. 1893: Jack entered Oakland High School where he started writing articles for the school’s magazine and won the1st prize San Francisco Morning Call for “best descriptive article” “Typhoon of the Coast of Japan” in which he described his sailing experiences 1895: Jack completed Oakland High School. 1896: he entered the University of California Berkeley but because of financial difficulties he left the university in a year.

The Klondike Gold Rush

At the age of 21 in 1897 Jack London joined the Klondike Gold Rush At the age of 21 in 1897 Jack London joined the Klondike Gold Rush. This period of life was a basis for some of his popular stories.

All the events in the Klondike were an incitement for him to write a short story “To Build a Fire” which is considered one of his best.

From 1898 Jack London started publishing his writings.

The men in his books live a difficult life, a life full of danger.

Significant part of the work of London is devoted to novels and stories about animals

"Martin Eden"

Jack London died on the 22 d of November in 1916   Jack London died on the 22 d of November in 1916. His ashes were interred in Jack London State Historic Park, in Glen Ellen, California.