Date of Birth: January 12, 1876
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Date of Death: November 22, 1916
Biography
Jack London, born John Griffith Chaney, was an American novelist, journalist, and social activist born on January 12, 1876, in San Francisco, California. London is best known for his adventure novels and stories, which often draw on his experiences in the Klondike Gold Rush and his observations of the harsh realities of nature and human survival. London’s early life was marked by hardship and labor; he worked in factories, on ships, and even as a hobo. He later enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, but left after a year to pursue his writing career full-time. His first major success came with the story “To Build a Fire,” followed by the novels “The Call of the Wild” (1903) and “White Fang” (1906), which cemented his reputation as a master of adventure fiction. In addition to fiction, London was a passionate advocate for workers’ rights and socialism, themes that appear in his more politically charged works like “The Iron Heel” (1908) and “Martin Eden” (1909). Despite his success, London struggled with alcoholism and health issues, which led to his early death on November 22, 1916, at his ranch in Glen Ellen, California.
5 Interesting Facts about Jack London
1. Jack London was one of the first writers to achieve worldwide celebrity and a large fortune from fiction alone.
2. He was an oyster pirate in San Francisco Bay before turning to more legal pursuits.
3. London was a war correspondent during the Russo-Japanese War in 1904.
4. He once faced charges of plagiarism for his novel “The Call of the Wild.”
5. London built a 1,400-acre ranch in Glen Ellen, California, which he called “Beauty Ranch.”
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jack London
1. “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.”
2. “The proper function of man is to live, not to exist.”
3. “Life is not always a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes, playing a poor hand well.”
4. “Don’t loaf and invite inspiration; light out after it with a club.”
5. “You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the height of his career, Jack London’s net worth was estimated to be around $2 million, equivalent to about $35 million today.
Children
Jack London had two daughters, Joan and Bess, with his first wife, Bess Maddern.
Relevant Links
1. [Wikipedia: Jack London](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_London
2. [The Jack London Online Collection](http://www.jacklondons.net/
3. [Jack London State Historic Park](https://jacklondonpark.com/
4. [Biography: Jack London](https://www.biography.com/writer/jack-london
5. [The World of Jack London](http://www.jacklondon.com/
