Jack London (12 January 1876 – 22 November 1916) was an American writer who joined the Klondike Gold Rush in 1897. His hardships in the Yukon, including scurvy, fed stories such as The Call of the Wild (1903), White Fang (1906) and “To Build a Fire”.[1][2]
| Born | 12 Jan 1876, San Francisco |
|---|---|
| Died | 22 Nov 1916, Glen Ellen, California |
| Klondike trip | Sailed 12 Jul 1897; returned 1898 |
| The Call of the Wild | 1903 |
| White Fang | 1906 |
The Klondike trip
On 12 July 1897, aged 21, London and his sister’s husband, Captain Shepard, sailed to join the gold rush, and he returned to California in 1898. He developed scurvy from malnutrition, losing four front teeth and suffering lasting hip and leg pain. In Dawson City, a facility run by Father William Judge gave him shelter, food and medicine.[1]
The Call of the Wild
London sold the story to The Saturday Evening Post for $750 in early 1903, and Macmillan published the book in July 1903. Its protagonist is Buck, a large dog stolen from a California ranch and sold into sled-dog work in the Klondike Gold Rush. A planned 4,000-word piece grew to about 32,000 words, the first printing of 10,000 copies sold out immediately, and the book has been published in 47 languages.[1][2]
Other work
“To Build a Fire” was drawn from his Klondike hardships; a 1902 version appeared in The Youth’s Companion and a more severe 1908 version in The Century Magazine, and many critics consider it his best work. White Fang (1906) is set in Alaska and the Yukon during the gold rush.[1]
Adaptations
Film versions of The Call of the Wild include silent 1923, 1935 (starring Clark Gable and Loretta Young, the first talkie), 1972, 1993, 1997 and 2020 productions.[2]
FAQs
When did Jack London go to the Klondike? He sailed on 12 July 1897 and returned in 1898.
What is The Call of the Wild about? A dog named Buck sold into sled-dog work during the Klondike Gold Rush.
What happened to his health? He developed scurvy and lost his front teeth.
Sources
Key facts
- Sailed July 1897
- Call of the Wild 1903
- 47 languages
Quick checkWhen was Call of the Wild published?Show answer
1903.
Sources
- Wikipedia. Jack London. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-12)
- Wikipedia. The Call of the Wild. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-12)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 12, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue