John Steinbeck Biography

The Life of an American Author: John Steinbeck John Steinbeck played an important role in American Literature. His books and novels, even today, inspire young minds like ours. John wrote about his life growing up in the 1920’s. His novels were about the people and the truth about the way people acted back then. Many people despised him because he told the truth in his writing. John Steinbeck was born on February 27th, 1902 in Salinas, California. John was the only son of three daughters. For the most part John lived a happy, normal childhood. Growing up, John was a shy kid and his best friend was his sister Mary. When John was old enough, he moved himself to New York where he was given an opportunity to be a reporter. That job didn’t work out too well so John packed up and moved back to California. There he met his first wife Carol Henny. In 1941, Carol and John divorced and John moved back to New York. There, he met his second wife Gwyn. They married in 1943 and had 2 sons. Within 2 years of the youngest sons birth, they divorced. In 1952, John married Elaine, his third and final wife. John had gone to war twice, the second time he returned, he wasn’t feeling the same. John passed away on December 28th, 1968. However, his life story still lives on today. At a young age, John knew he wanted to be a writer. His first book that was given to him was King Arthur from his aunt. When John took a job to be a caretaker at Lake Tahoe, during this time he wrote his first book Cup Of Gold. When John wrote Tortilla Flat, it became a huge success. Another great novel was Of Mice and Men. However, his greatest novel was yet to be written. When John had finally finished Grapes of Wrath, people went crazy over it. That was his fastest selling novel of all time. That novel had won the Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award. Those were some of John Steinbeck’s biggest achievements in his life. John Steinbeck lived a successful life. There were people who hated him and there were those who loved him. I would say that John lived his life out to the fullest. He was a very successful man. Even years from today, people will still know the name John Steinbeck, and his great story and novels will live on.