Born on February 27, 1902 in Salinas, California, John Ernst Steinbeck is one of the most famous authors in the world. Steinbeck's American classics depict portraits of the conditions of human life, struggles and triumphs. He is commonly known for his novels The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden and the short story Of Mice and Men. “He was an intellectual, passionately interested in his strange little inventions, in jazz, politics, philosophy, history and myth” (“John Steinbeck, American Writer”). John Steinbeck had to face several difficulties and rejections to succeed and publish his books the way he wanted. Steinbeck lived an interesting life full of stories, controversies, adventures, love, and loss. John Ernst Steinbeck was the son of John Steinbeck and Olive Hamilton Steinbeck. Steinbeck lived a happy childhood with a younger sister, Mary, and two older sisters, Beth and Esther. His parents were not very successful. His mother was previously a teacher, while Steinbeck's father held several jobs, including: flour plant manager, feed and grain store owner, and county treasurer. As a boy, Steinbeck developed a great appreciation for the land of the Salinas Valley and the Pacific Coast. The Salinas Valley and his homeland became the setting for many of his novels and short stories. (Shillinglaw). Steinbeck's mother was a former teacher and inspired his love of literature. The book Le Morte d'Arthur, by Sir Thomas Malory, was Steinbeck's favorite book as a boy and had a great influence on his writing (“Biography of John Steinbeck”). John Steinbeck decided to become a writer at the age of fourteen and spent his teenage years writing various poems and short stories (Shil...... middle of paper ...... totaling more than 700,000 copies per year” (“John The Biography of Ernst Steinbeck”). Steinbeck's novels will continue to be taught in schools and read in every home for years to come. Works Cited" Biography for John Steinbeck.com, nd Web John Steinbeck." GradeSaver. GradeSaver LLC., nd Web. October 30, 2013."Biography of John Ernst Steinbeck" Oprah.com. Oprah, nd Web. October 30, 2013."John Steinbeck - Biography on Bio." The Biography Channel. AETN UK, 30 October 2013. "Biography of John Steinbeck." 2 Web. 3 November 2013. Shillinglaw, Susan, Dr. "John Steinbeck, an American Writer".. 2013.