137 years ago, the famous writer Jack London was born. Jack London (born John Cheney) was born on January 12, 1876, in San Francisco. When he was 8 months old, his mother remarried, and John became John Griffith London. The London family was...2 photos

not wealthy. Even as a schoolboy, he had to work, selling newspapers. After graduating from high school in 1889, he worked at a canning factory, as a miner in Alaska, caught oysters, and went to sea on commercial vessels. By the age of 23, he had been arrested several times for vagrancy. Realizing that writing was the simplest way to earn money, he began publishing short stories in magazines, drawing inspiration mainly from his own experiences at sea and in Alaska. In 1900, his first collection of stories, *Son of the Wolf*, was published. Over the next 17 years, London released 2-3 books each year: collections such as *God His Fathers* and *Faith in Man*, the novel * Daughter of Snows*, and the novella * Call of the Fathers*. In total, London wrote more than 200 short stories, over 20 novels and novellas, as well as numerous essays and articles.

His most famous works include the novels *The Sea Wolf*, *Martin Eden*, *Little House on the Big Hill*, and *Hearts of Three*. London became famous shortly after his first books were published. His works were very popular around the world, including in the Soviet Union, and more than 10 films were adapted from them. Jack London was married twice and had two daughters. On November 22, 1916, he died in Glen Ellen, California, from a overdose of sleeping pills.