American author well-known for his novels The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, and Of Mice and Men. He won both the Pulitzer and Nobel Prizes for his work.
He grew up in central California and attended Stanford University for several years. He later returned to California following failed attempts at writing jobs in New York and worked as a tour guide and caretaker at a fish hatchery in Tahoe City.
He wrote many books about American life, including Of Mice and Men, East of Eden, and Cannery Row.
He was born to John Ernst Steinbeck and Olive Hamilton. He was married three times. His longest marriage, to Elaine Scott, lasted until his death. Steinbeck had two sons, Thomas and John IV.
Henry Fonda starred in the movie adaptation of Steinbeck's famous novel The Grapes of Wrath.
