**Jack London ** was born John Griffith Chaney in San Francisco, California. He began writing at 17 years old, when he submitted a story about a recent, nearly disastrous sea voyage he'd been on, winning the contest and earning his first $25 as a writer. Later, during the gold rush, he traveled to t...

**Jack London ** was born John Griffith Chaney in San Francisco, California. He began writing at 17 years old, when he submitted a story about a recent, nearly disastrous sea voyage he'd been on, winning the contest and earning his first $25 as a writer. Later, during the gold rush, he traveled to the Yukon, where he found the inspiration for his most famous novels and short stories.