Jack London
American novelist, journalist and socialist (1876–1916); wrote The Call of the Wild and The People of the Abyss.
At a glance
Main ideas
Socialism from the bottom, Class war, Seeing poverty first-hand …
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The Call of the Wild, The People of the Abyss, War of the Classes …
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- London was an American novelist, journalist and activist, and one of the first American authors to become an international celebrity and earn a fortune from writing.
- Largely self-educated, he worked in a cannery, as an oyster pirate and as a tramp, and went to the Klondike during the gold rush.
- His socialism grew out of that experience, and he twice ran for mayor of Oakland as the Socialist candidate.
- He also wrote of Asian immigration as "the yellow peril".
Why it matters
- His best-known works are set in the Klondike gold rush, and The People of the Abyss, a first-hand account of London's East End, inspired George Orwell.
Key facts
- Born
- 12 Jan 1876, San Francisco, as John Griffith Chaney1
- Died
- 22 Nov 1916, on his ranch at Glen Ellen, California1
- Socialism
- Joined the Socialist Labor Party in April 1896 and the Socialist Party of America in 1901; resigned in 19161
- Mayoral runs
- Socialist candidate for mayor of Oakland in 1901 (245 votes) and 1905 (981 votes)1
- Married
- Bess Maddern, then, after their divorce, Charmian Kittredge in 19051
- Animal welfare
- The Jack London Club, formed in 1918, campaigned against cruelty to circus animals1
Main ideas
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Socialism from the bottom1
His socialism came from life among "people at the bottom of the social pit", not from theory.
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Class war1
He lectured on socialism across the country in 1906 and collected his essays in War of the Classes.
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Seeing poverty first-hand2
He lived among the poor of the East End to write about them.
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Against animal cruelty1
Two of his novels carried a foreword asking readers to learn how circus animals were trained.
Books to start with
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Connections
Links
Sources
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