John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck became one of the most popular, influential American authors. He had the ability to depict physical, social, and psychological environments in his writings. Throughout his sixty-six years of life, Steinbeck wrote nearly thirteen novels. He did not come from a wealthy family but rather one of comfortable means. Steinbeck did not let this stand in his way, though. Through great determination he became what many consider a great American author.
On February 27, 1902, John Ernst Steinbeck was born in Salinas, California. His father worked as the treasurer of Monterey County and his mother as a schoolteacher. In his early years, Steinbeck attended the local high school. Between 1920 and 1926 he studied marine biology at Stanford University, but he never received a degree. “During these years several of his poems and short stories appeared in university publications (http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/johnstei.html).” It wouldn’t be until 1935 that Steinbeck would begin to gain...