John Steinbeck

John was married thrice, first with Carol Henning, in the year 1930, whom he divorced after twelve years of matrimony.

In 1942, he married Gwyndolyn Conger, with whom he had two sons, Thomas and John, but the relationship did not last long, and the couple separated after six years.

Steinbeck met American actress Elaine Scott in America, and got married to her in 1950.

John Ernst Steinbeck Jr. was born to Olive Hamilton and her husband John, in the Salinas municipality of the Monterey County, California, on February 27, 1902. His father was a treasurer for the government of Monterey County.

The young boy was raised as an Episcopal Christian, but he later became a sceptic. The rural area in which he was brought up later became the backdrop for most of his literary works.

In 1919, he completed his education from the 'Salinas High School', and went on to pursue a degree in Literature from the 'Stanford University'. He however dropped out and moved to New York City, where he earned a living by running small errands.

In the late 1920s, he came back to his home town, having failed to find a job as a writer, and began working as a guide for tourists, and a mannequin manufacturer. This was the period when global economic crisis ensued, and faced by the 'Great Depression', John struggled to make a living for himself and his family.

In 1930, he met marine biologist and writer, Ed Ricketts, who became a close friend, and served as a model for several of Steinbeck's characters.

Steinbeck brought out his debut novel, titled 'Cup of Gold', in the year 1929. The book however was not received well by readers across the country.

In 1932, he published the book, 'The Pastures of Heaven', which comprised of twelve short stories that were linked to each other. The next year, he wrote 'The Red Pony' and his second novel, 'To a God Unknown', both of which were only moderately successful.

It was only in 1935, that John tasted success with the novel, 'Tortilla Flat', which used Monterey, California as its backdrop. The novel, 'Tortilla Flat', set after the World War I, was a hit with both critics as well as his readers.

The same year, he became a member of the 'League of American Writers', where he was inspired by the works of Communist writers, Ella Winter and Lincoln Steffens.

In 1936, he produced the first book of the 'Dustbowl' trilogy, 'In Dubious Battle'. The book talks about a protest led by Californian fruit pickers, and aided by the assumed 'Communist Party'.

'The Grapes of Wrath' is considered to be one of Steinbeck's greatest literary achievements. It is because of this book, that he earned the 'Pulitzer Prize' and the 'National Book Award' in 1940. This book, which has seen sales of more than fourteen million units, has been made into a movie featuring Jane Darwell and Henry Fonda.