Who Is John Steinbeck? Age, Biography, and Wiki
John Steinbeck was born on February 27, 1902, and passed away on December 20, 1968, making him 66 years old at the time of his death. Renowned for his profound narratives and rich character development, Steinbeck's literary works focus primarily on the social issues facing America during the Great Depression. His notable works include "The Grapes of Wrath," "Of Mice and Men," and "East of Eden." In 2025, his influence on literature continues to be substantial, inspiring generations of writers and readers alike.
| Occupation | President |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 27, 1902 |
| Age | 66 Years |
| Birth Place | Salinas, California, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 20 December, 1968 |
| Died Place | New York City, U.S. |
Popularity
John Steinbeck's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about Steinbeck’s height and weight are not widely documented, he was known to have an average build for his time. His physical appearance, much like his writing, had a timeless quality that resonated with many. In discussing body stats, it is important to note that his literary legacy far outshines any physical attributes.
In 1962, Steinbeck won the Nobel Prize for literature for his "realistic and imaginative writing, combining as it does sympathetic humor and keen social perception". The selection was heavily criticized, and described as "one of the Academy's biggest mistakes" in one Swedish newspaper. The reaction of American literary critics was also harsh.
The New York Times asked why the Nobel committee gave the award to an author whose "limited talent is, in his best books, watered down by tenth-rate philosophising", noting that "[T]he international character of the award and the weight attached to it raise questions about the mechanics of selection and how close the Nobel committee is to the main
currents of American writing.
... [W]e think it interesting that the laurel was not awarded to a writer ... whose significance, influence and sheer body of work had already made a more profound impression on the literature of our age".
Steinbeck, when asked on the day of the announcement if he deserved the Nobel, replied: "Frankly, no." Biographer Jackson Benson notes, "[T]his honor was one of the few in the world that one could not buy nor gain by political maneuver. It was precisely because the committee made its judgment ...
on its own criteria, rather than plugging into 'the main currents of American writing' as defined by the critical establishment, that the award had value." In his acceptance speech later in the year in Stockholm, he said:
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
John Steinbeck was married three times during his lifetime. His first marriage was to Carol Henning in 1930, which lasted until their divorce in 1943. He then married Gwendolyn Kong in 1945, and after their divorce in 1948, he married Elaine Scott in 1950, who remained with him until his death. While he had no documented boyfriends as he was primarily linked to his wives, his complex relationships shed light on the emotional depth found in his works.
He was of German, English, and Irish descent. Johann Adolf Großsteinbeck (1828–1913), Steinbeck's paternal grandfather, was a founder of Mount Hope, a short-lived farming colony in Palestine that disbanded after Arab attackers killed his brother and raped his brother's wife and mother-in-law.
He arrived in the United States in 1858, shortening the family name to Steinbeck. The family farm in Heiligenhaus, Mettmann, Germany, is still named "Großsteinbeck".
Net Worth and Salary
Before his passing in 1968, Steinbeck's net worth was estimated to be around $1 million, a significant amount for an author of his era. Adjusting for inflation, this figure represents a considerable estate by today's standards, especially reflecting the continued success of his books and adaptations. As of 2025, his literary estate is believed to be worth millions, with ongoing royalties and adaptations contributing to the perpetuation of his financial legacy.
Steinbeck complained publicly about government harassment. Thomas Steinbeck, the author's eldest son, said that J. Edgar Hoover, the director of the FBI at the time, could find no basis for prosecuting Steinbeck and therefore used his power to encourage the U.S.
Internal Revenue Service to audit Steinbeck's taxes every single year of his life, just to annoy him. According to Thomas, a true artist is one who "without a thought for self, stands up against the stones of condemnation, and speaks for those who are given no real voice in the halls of justice, or the halls of government.
By doing so, these people will naturally become the enemies of the political status quo."
Career, Business, and Investments
Steinbeck's career as an American novelist, playwright, and journalist was marked by critical acclaim, including winning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962. His works often grapple with the human condition, social justice, and the struggles of the working class. Beyond writing, Steinbeck also ventured into screenwriting and had business interests that focused on promoting agricultural and social reform—interests that align closely with the themes of his literature.
During his writing career, he authored 33 books, with one book coauthored alongside Edward Ricketts, including 16 novels, six non-fiction books, and two collections of short stories.
He is widely known for the comic novels Tortilla Flat (1935) and Cannery Row (1945), the multigeneration epic East of Eden (1952), and the novellas The Red Pony (1933) and Of Mice and Men (1937). The Pulitzer Prize–winning The Grapes of Wrath (1939) is considered Steinbeck's masterpiece and part of the American literary canon.
By the 75th anniversary of its publishing date, it had sold 14 million copies.
Social Network
Even though John Steinbeck passed away long before the advent of modern social media, his works have a robust presence online. In 2025, fans and literary enthusiasts continue to discuss and promote his work across platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Additionally, literary forums and websites serve as gathering places for discussions surrounding his life, themes, and influence on modern literature.
Between 1930 and 1933, Steinbeck produced three shorter works. The Pastures of Heaven, published in 1932, consists of twelve interconnected stories about a valley near Monterey, which was discovered by a Spanish corporal while chasing runaway Indian slaves.
In 1933 Steinbeck published The Red Pony, a 100-page, four-chapter story weaving in memories of Steinbeck's childhood. To a God Unknown, named after a Vedic hymn, follows the life of a homesteader and his family in California, depicting a character with a primal and pagan worship of the land he works.
Education
Steinbeck attended Stanford University, where he studied English literature. Although he never graduated, his time at Stanford laid the foundation for his literary pursuits. His education deeply influenced his writing style and subject matter, as he often incorporated elements of his academic study into his narratives. In 2025, his educational impact is felt in numerous writing programs and literature courses worldwide.
In 1930, Steinbeck met the marine biologist Ed Ricketts, who became a close friend and mentor to Steinbeck during the following decade, teaching him a great deal about philosophy and biology.
Ricketts, usually very quiet, yet likable, with an inner self-sufficiency and an encyclopedic knowledge of diverse subjects, became a focus of Steinbeck's attention. Ricketts had taken a college class from Warder Clyde Allee, a biologist and ecological theorist, who would go on to write a classic early textbook on ecology.
Ricketts became a proponent of ecological thinking, in which man was only one part of a great chain of being, caught in a web of life too large for him to control or understand.
Meanwhile, Ricketts operated a biological lab on the coast of Monterey, selling biological samples of small animals, fish, rays, starfish, turtles, and other marine forms to schools and colleges.
