Full Name: Mr. John Ernst Steinbeck III
Date of Birth: February 27, 1902
Place of Birth: Salinas, California, USA
Died: December 20, 1968
Place of Death: New York City, New York, USA
Classification: Artists & Entertainers
Even though his most known work today is The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck wrote many other novels and screenplays that would secure his spot as one of the 20 th centuries greatest writers. He would influence not only such playwrights as Arthur Miller, but also other emerging writers of his early life, such as Ernest Hemingway. His naturalistic style that focused on characters set in hardship would set a theme from which he would hardly diverge.
John’s childhood was normal for the most part. He attended primary school in the city of Salinas and was remembered to have read a lot and even wrote when he was in middle and high school. At age 17 he graduated and attended Stanford University on and off for six years taking classes in mainly literature and some philosophy. At that time he knew he wanted to be a writer, so he only took classes he believed would help him hone his craft. In 1929, at the age of 27, John Steinbeck published his first novel entitled Cup of Gold. It was received with mild success, but this work helped him get his foot in the door and in the public’s view.
Steinbeck then released Tortilla Flat, which similar to the Grapes of Wrath, was set during and focused upon the struggles of the Great Depression. This theme would stay with him throughout his career. The scenes and backdrop of his writing would focus upon the state of California, which won him prestige. His books soon became movies, which heightened his growing fame.
Steinbeck then released one of his most adored novels called Of Mice and Men. This novella-length work would also gather much more of an audience as it was performed on stage in New York City – Steinbeck wrote the adaptation for the stage with the guidance of George S. Kaufman. With hailing reviews, the film soon was produced on film in 1939 in Hollywood. It would be the release of Grapes of Wrath, however, that would win John Steinbeck the Pulitzer Prize for the Novel. It was also made into film in Hollywood. And, although he never published his own autobiography, John Steinbeck would continue writing novels through the 1950s. With works such as The Pearl and East of Eden, Steinbeck sealed his position as one of America’s best writers who captured the beauty and struggle of the 20 th century
