Jack London (1876-1916) was an American novelist best known for his adventure novels including Call of the Wild and The Sea Wolf. He had a life of adventure himself, working various jobs including on fishing boats and sailing ships as a young man. He participated in the Klondike Gold Rush in an effort to support his family after his stepfather died. He went on to become a successful writer, publishing over 50 novels and articles, though he struggled financially at times. He was married twice and had three children total. He advocated for socialist ideas and writing what you have directly experienced.

1. Jack London 1876-1916 How old was he when he died?

2. Family Born in San Francisco Father William Chaney: astrologer Mother Flora Wellman: “cold” Step-father John London: poor farmer Helped by step-sister and servant “Aunt Jenny” Went to work at 10 years old Quit school at 15 to work full-time in factory (salmon cannery) Used books to escape life

3. Life of Adventure Several odd jobs—many of them at sea Oyster pirate Fish patrol Seaman on whaling schooner Returned to high school at 19—passed entrance exam to U of Ca @ Berkley One semester Lacked finances

4. Klondike Gold Rush Joined the gold rush to help support his mom after John London died Returned home because of illness (scurvy) Ideas for writing gained here

5. Political Ideas Arrested for vagrancy in 1894-one month in jail Fought for poor—Socialist Shared wealth—never quit working; worried about money

6. Finally earned money writing Published over 50 novels; letter writer; speaker Call of the Wild/The Sea Wolf “Great Earthquake and Fire” (San Francisco) written for Collier’s magazine paid 25 cents/word-2500 word article

7. Adult/Family Life

8. Married Bessie May Madden-April 7, 1900 Later divorced (1905)—different interests

9. Children Joan—born January 15,1901 Bess—born October 20,1902 Third child died at birth

10. Married (2 nd time) Charmain Kitterage-November 19, 1905 Adventures at sea together Built large ranch in California

11. Jack London’s Admonition Write what you see!

12. Jack London’s Style Helps reader become involved because he experienced what he wrote about Used vivid language Adverbs Adjectives Unusual word order Repetition Stories are based on experiences-reality based Life and death situations

13. Primary Source Eyewitness Accounts—autobiography Diaries, letters, news accounts, photos, art

14. Secondary Source Written by someone with no direct experience with events of person’s life Using information from other sources