John Ernst Steinbeck :: Essays Papers

John Ernst SteinbeckChronologyBorn February 27,1902 in the family home. He lived at 132 Central Avenue, Salinas,CA. He wrote his first stories here as a child.Father John Ernst Steinbeck. He lived 1863-1935. He was the County Treasurer.Mother Olive Hamilton Steinbeck. She lived 1867-1934. She was an elementaryteacher.Sisters Elizabeth Steinbeck Ainsworth. She was born on May 25,1894 and died onOctober 20, 1992. She lived in Pacific Grove, CA.Esther Steinbeck Rodgers. She was born April 14,1892 and died on May 9,1986. Shelived in Watsonville, CAMary Steinbeck Dekker. She was born on January 9,1905 and died January 23,1965. Sheis buried in the family plot.1919 Graduated from Salinas High School, then located on West Alisal bridle-path acrossfrom the post office. Began attending Stanford University.1919 - 1925 He attended Stanford University.1925 He went to New York City, working odd jobs, including manual labor for theconstruction of Madison Square Garden. He was u nable to find a publisher. He returnedto California the next course of instruction.1929 Cup of Gold became his first published novel.1930 Married Carol Henning and moved to the family home in Pacific Grove. His fatherhelped support the struggling couple. They divorced in 1942. She lived in Carmel Valley, CA after and died February 8, 1983.1932 The Pastures of Heaven became his first published work set in Monterey County.1934 His mother died in the Salinas home. John had stayed in the home to take care ofher. After this experience, Steinbeck wrote to a friend, The house in Salinas is prettyhaunted now. I catch things walking at night that it is not good to see. Steinbeck wrote to 1934 A short story set in Monterey County, The Murder, won an O. Henry Prize. 1935 His father died. This was the first year Steinbeck had commercial success. Tortilla Flat was an instant hit. 1935 He won the Commonwealth Club of California Gold Medal for Best Novel by aCalifornian for Tortilla Flat.1936 He again won the Commonwealth Club of California Gold Medal for Best Novelby a Californian for In indeterminate Battle.1936 Of Mice and Men, set around Soledad, was produced as a novel and then as a play. The Red Pony by Steinbeck also won recognition. Steinbeck mentioned labor rage inSalinas in a letter, There are riots in Salinas and killings in the streets of that dear little town where I was born.