John Ernst Steinbeck, Jr. (February 27, 1902 – December 20, 1968)

American author John Steinbeck is well-known for his novels The Grapes
of Wrath, East of Eden, and Of Mice and Men. He won both the Pulitzer
and Nobel Prizes for his work. 

Steinbeck grew up in central California and attended Stanford University
for several years. He later returned to California following failed attempts
at writing jobs in New York and worked as a tour guide and caretaker at
a fish hatchery in Tahoe City.    
   
John Steinbeck, a lifelong heavy smoker, died in New York City of heart
disease and congestive heart failure. He was 66.