Upton Sinclair was born September 20, 1878 in Baltimore. His father, who was an alcoholic, moved him and his family to New York in 1888. His family was very poor, but he spent a lot of time living with his grandparents (Simkin). “Upton Sinclair was a mid-20th century novelist and journalist known as a muckraker, whose books denounced the exploitation of the working class” (Rhode 1377). His difficult childhood eventually turned him into a socialist. Sinclair was very religious and loved literature (Simkin). At ten years old he was inspired by Charles Dickens, developing a passion for social justice. The English writer William Makepeace inspired him to hate pretense and hypocrisy (Rhode 1378). At fourteen he attended New York City College (Simkin). His first novel was Prairie's Pirates, Sinclair later confessed that it was similar to Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island (Rhode 1378). While studying, Sinclair paid for his university studies by writing short stories for magazines and newspapers. At seventeen he earned enough to allow him to move into an apartment while supporting his parents on a decent income (Simkin). After two newspaper articles, he managed to sell enough copies to repay his uncle's debt. Sinclair graduated from college in 1897 and worked for the Army and Navy Weekly (Simkin). In 1902, Upton married Meta Fuller. Sinclair had a son, David, in 1903. In 1904, the editor of a socialist newspaper commissioned Sinclair to write a book about immigrants working in Chicago's meat packing houses. Given $500 upfront, after seven weeks spent visiting the meatpacking industry and talking to workers, he wrote The Jungle, his most famous novel (Simkin). Regarding The Jungle, Sinclair said, “I aimed for…the center of the paper…a liveliness and wit that appeals to many readers, Sinclair's historical novels are more enjoyable to read” (McEwen). Reviewers criticized the conclusion of The Jungle, in which the main character is inspired by the principles of socialism, as too simplistic, edifying and unconvincing ("Explained: 'The Jungle' by Upton Sinclair"). , The Jungle, with its stark portrait of the American dream as unattainable for the poor working class, is considered an important work in the tradition of the social novel” (“Explained: 'The Jungle' by Upton Sinclair”). Sinclair will most likely be remembered best for The Jungle, but his other works will also capture the attention of those who wish to be simply and clearly informed about social issues and significant events in modern history (McEwen).