Steinbeck's first novel, "Cup of Gold," was published in 1930--although few in the literary world noticed. In all, Steinbeck had nearly 30 books published, including novels and compilations. Some of his better-known works include "The Grapes of Wrath," "Of Mice and Men," "East of Eden" and "Tortilla Flat."
Steinbeck was born on February 27, 1902, in Salinas, California, and died on December 20, 1968, in New York City.
Steinbeck was married three times: to Carol, 1930-1942; Gwyndolyn, 1943-1948; and Elaine, 1950 until his death. He also had two sons, Thomas, born in 1944, and John IV, born in 1946.
Steinbeck graduated from Salinas High School in 1919 and attended Stanford University from 1919 to 1925.
Steinbeck has 39 writing credits for feature films and TV show episodes. "Of Mice and Men" has been adapted to the screen nine times--five made-for-TV movies and four feature films.
Steinbeck's work garnered him a number of honors and awards, most notably the 1940 Pulitzer Prize Fiction Award for "The Grapes of Wrath" and the 1962 Nobel Prize for Literature.