Jack London's life was as rugged and adventurous as the tales he told. Born in San Francisco on January 12, 1876, he grew up in and around the docks of San Francisco and Oakland, California. At 13 he left school to help support his family. But normal occupations did not appeal to him, and he joined a gang of men who illegally caught oysters at night and sold them the next morning. At only 15 years of age, Jack London was one of the most successful oyster pirates working San Francisco Bay.
London maintained a strong love for books while he practiced his pirate trade. In fact, his continuous reading was often compared to his hard drinking — he did both with equal zest. London moved from place to place and from job to job. He hunted seals in the
London maintained a strong love for books while he practiced his pirate trade. In fact, his continuous reading was often compared to his hard drinking — he did both with equal zest. London moved from place to place and from job to job. He hunted seals in the