Jack London, born John Griffith Chaney on January 12, 1876, in San Francisco, was an American writer renowned for his adventure novels and naturalistic tales. Coming from a humble background, he worked in various jobs before turning to writing. His success came with "The Call of the Wild" (1903), followed by notable works such as "White Fang" (1906) and "The Sea-Wolf" (1904). London traveled extensively, and his experiences inspired many of his stories. He was an advocate for labor rights and explored social themes in his writings. He died at the age of 40 at his ranch in Glen Ellen, California, leaving a lasting legacy in American literature.