Have you ever read a book and wondered why or what inspired the author to write that specific story? This is a good thing to think about so you can understand the reading a little more than you may have understood before. Author John Steinbeck is one of those who you may know when you were young you may have read his classic Of Mice and Men. It may make you wonder why he wrote this story. Why is it so important to read? John Steinbeck's life began in Salinas, California, on February 27, 1902 (Covici xxxi, xxxvii). His mother was a teacher (Covici xxxi). His father was a county treasurer (major 2671). John Steinbeck was named after his father. John Steinbeck had three sisters. (Covicixxxi). John Steinbeck started reading very early. His father was the first to notice his interest in books and writing, so he encouraged him (Exploring Novels 1). Books John Steinbeck was really drawn to the Bible, Greek historians, and Malory's Death of Arthur (Covici xxxi). John Steinbeck graduated from high school in 1919. The following year, in 1920, he enrolled at Stanford University (Covici xxxi, xxxvii). The classes he chose to take were writing, literature, history, classics, and biological sciences (Great 55). John Steinbeck had an “irresistible desire to write” (Great 55). While in college, he also contributed poems and other writings to the university publication (The New 446). After 6 years of college, he left without a degree (Great 55). After John Steinbeck left college, he held many jobs. He also became a foreign correspondent during World War II (Major 2671). John Steinbeck married for the first time in 1930. John Steinbeck's wife's name was Carol Henning (U*X*L 2). John and Carol were the perfect couple. He was a very devout person... middle of paper... placed his ashes in the wind on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean in his hometown of Salinas, California (Great 59). John finally returned to where he belonged and where he loved to be. John Steinbeck wrote because he wanted to impact people's lives. John Steinbeck hated being in the spotlight, he was a terrible celebrity. Steinbeck tried to do his best in his life. John Steinbeck showed real people and emotions in his characters when he wrote his books. John Steinbeck was not afraid to write about real problems in the world today. In The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck deals with depression. Show Americans and others the ugly truth about what was happening. John Steinbeck never stopped doing what he loved even when he was tempted. John Steinbeck was and is an influential author. John Steinbeck is a writer who should always be remembered.