Biography of John Steinbeck

FAIN: FT-10712-70

Jackson J. Benson
San Diego State University (San Diego, CA 92182-0001)

Literary biography of John Steinbeck--his background and character, his sources, and his methods and philosophy of composition. Though a major American author, Steinbeck's literary reputation is uncertain and no biography exists. Fellow to visit libraries, agents and publishers where Steinbeck's papers, manuscripts and letters are held; interview relatives and friends of the author. Fellow previously published a study of Enrest Hemingway, Hemingway: The Writer's Art of Self Defense (University of Minnesota Press, 1969).