John+Steinbeck+by+Blake+Breeden

__John Steinbeck by Blake Breeden__
 * born John Ernst Steinbeck, Jr. on February 7, 1902 in Salinas, California
 * died on December 20, 1968 of heart disease and congestive heart failure
 * American author
 * worked his way through Stanford, but never graduated
 * moved to New York, failed to become freelance writer, and returned to California
 * famous works include //Of Mice and Men// (1937), //The Grapes of Wrath// (1939), and //East of Eden// (1952)

John Steinbeck was of German-Irish descent. At Stanford, he studied marine biology but never finished his degree. He moved to New York and worked as a reporter until he was fired, after which he worked miscellaneous jobs such as a painter, caretaker, surveyor, and fruit picker. His first novel, //Cup of Gold// (1929), was about Captain Henry Morgan, a famous Caribbean pirate. He married his first wife, Carol Henning, in 1930. They divorced in 1943, and he had two wives afterward: Gwyn Conger in 1943, and Elaine Anderson in 1950. Steinbeck's 1935 novel //Tortilla Flat// won him widespread notoriety. He used his fame and wealth to benefit underprivileged people.

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