Jack London in context collection, 1890-2016

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Summary

Creators:
Andrews, Palmer
Abstract:
Extent:
115 linear feet
Language:
Preferred citation:

Jack London in context collection. Sonoma State University Library

Background

Scope and content:

The Jack London in Context Collection includes books, research materials, and art reflecting Jack London's personal and literary connections to contemporaries, great thinkers, and current events and reflects the collector’s particular interests and feelings regarding Jack London. The collection contains some early editions of Jack London’s novels, magazine first appearances, correspondence, biographical works about Jack London and his wife Charmian Kittredge London as well as their contemporaries, reference books for London researchers, photographs, movie memorabilia, and ephemera. The breadth of the collection demonstrates Palmer Andrew’s passion as a collector of Jack London materials as well as contextual material that reflects London’s time and his popularity in American culture. The collection is 115 linear feet in size.

Biographical / historical:

Jack London (born Jan. 12, 1876, died Nov. 22, 1916) is best known for his books The Call of the Wild, White Fang, and The Sea-Wolf, and a few short stories, such as "To Build a Fire" and "The White Silence." In fact, he was a prolific writer whose fiction explored several regions and their cultures: the Yukon, California, Hawaii, and the Solomon Islands. He experimented with many literary forms, from conventional love stories and dystopias to science fantasy. His noted journalism included war correspondence, boxing stories, and the life of Molokai lepers. A committed socialist, he insisted, against editorial pressures, on writing political essays and on inserting social criticism in his fiction. He was among the most influential figures of his day, and understood how to create a public persona and use the media to market his self-created image of poor-boy-turned-success-story. London's great passion was agriculture, and he was well on the way to creating a new model for ranching through his Beauty Ranch when he died at age 40. He left over fifty books of novels, stories, journalism, and essays, many of which have been translated and continue to be read around the world.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research by appointment.

Terms of access:

The library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claimants of literary property.

Preferred citation:

Jack London in context collection. Sonoma State University Library

Location of this collection:
Special Collections
1801 E. Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park, CA 94928, US
Contact:
(707) 664-4152
specialcollections@sonoma.edu
Website