Questions about Jack London

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When was Jack London born and where did he grow up?

John Griffith London was born on the 12th of January 1876 in San Francisco and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area before settling in Oakland. He completed public grade school in Oakland despite his family moving frequently across the region.

What happened to Jack London during the Klondike Gold Rush?

Jack London sailed to the Klondike Gold Rush on the 12th of July 1897 and suffered from scurvy which caused his gums to swell and led to the loss of his four front teeth. The harsh conditions of the Yukon left him with constant pain in his hip and leg muscles and marks on his face that reminded him of the struggles he faced in the goldfields.

Who did Jack London marry and when did he divorce his first wife?

Jack London married Elizabeth Mae Bessie Maddern on the 7th of April 1900 and divorced her on the 11th of November 1904 after living apart since July 1903. He later married Charmian Kittredge in 1905 after their relationship developed from a friendship into romance.

What was Jack London's political stance and which party did he join?

Jack London wrote from a socialist viewpoint and joined the Socialist Labor Party in April 1896 before leaving to join the Socialist Party of America in 1901. He ran unsuccessfully as the Socialist candidate for mayor of Oakland in 1901 and 1905 while touring the country lecturing on socialism.

How did Jack London die and what was the official cause of death?

Jack London died on the 22nd of November 1916 in a sleeping porch in a cottage on his ranch from uremia following acute renal colic. Recent scholarship confirms he died of uremia aggravated by an accidental morphine overdose rather than suicide as older sources claimed.

Where is Jack London buried and what is the status of his ranch today?

Jack London's ashes are buried on his property in Glen Ellen, California, next to some pioneer children under a rock that belonged to the Wolf House. The buildings and property are now preserved as Jack London State Historic Park and are protected as a National Historic Landmark.