Timeline
| Year of event | Age | Event | Historical/Sources |
| 1876
January 12 |
0 | Born as John Griffith Chaney in San Francisco, son of Astrologer William H. Chaney and Flora Wellman. William Chaney denies fathership and disappears. WhileFlora recuperates from difficulties of childbirth, the infant is suckled by Virginia Prentiss. The wet nurse, who is a former slave, remains close to Jack all of his life. Through Mrs. Prentiss, Flora meets John London. | Source:
San Francisco Chronicle The U.S. war against the Indians of the Great Plains (Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho Nations) still being waged, General Custer and 200 soldiers die in the Battle of Little Big Horn Typewriters that work are developed but only type capital letters until 1878 Lewis
Carroll writes poem "the Hunting of the Snark"
|
| 1876
September 7 |
0
8mos |
Flora Wellman Chaney marries Civil war Veteran John London. The infant John Griffith Chaney is renamed John Griffith London, henceforth known as Johnny then Jack. | Withdrawal of Federal troops ends post Civil War "Reconstruction" period in Southern U.S. |
| 1877 | 1 | John London's daughters, Eliza (age 10) and Ida (age 7) are removed from the orphanage and brought into the household. |  Ku
Klux Klan unleashes wave of terror against blacks to reassert white power
in Southern U.S.
Thomas Edison invents phonograph |
| 1881 | 5 | Jack attends school in Alameda. John works a truck farm, Flora teaches music and kindergarten. | U.S.
President James Garfield assassinated
Henry James publishes "Portrait of a Lady" |
| 1882 | 6 | Robert Louis Stevenson publishes "Treasure Island" | |
| 1883 | 7 | Explosion of Krakatoa | |
| 1884 | 8 | European powers continue to carve out colonies in Africa at the "Berlin Conference" | |
| 1885 | 9 | John London purchases a farm in the Livermore Valley. Jack discovers the world of reading and in later years recalls the impact of Washington Irving's THE ALHAMBRA and Ouida's SIGNA on his young mind. | U.S.
policy has left only about 2000 bison alive, the main staple of the economy
of the Plains Indians, effectively forcing the surviving Indians
onto reservations
French Artist Henri Tolouse-Lautrec begins work in Paris |
| 1886 (?) | 10 | Eliza London, Jack's step-sister, marries Captain James Shepard, a widower many years her senior. | Discovery
of gold in Transvaal, South Africa
Slavery abolished in Cuba Statue of Liberty, a gift from the French unveiled in New York |
| 1886 | 10 | John London purchases a home on east 17th Street near 23rd Avenue in Oakland. A succession of moves for the family. Jack discovers the wealth of reading available to him through the Oakland Public Library and the guidance of Librarian Ina Coolbrith (later Poet Laureate). | Robert
Louis Stevenson publishes "Strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" |
| 1887 | 11 | Jack attends Cole Grammar School in West Oakland, befriends Frank Atherton, works as news paperboy | Sir
Arthur Conan Doyle' first Sherlock Holmes story published
Edison & Swan produce a household electric lamp French "union " of Indochina, colonizing Vietnam & Cambodia. Britain annexes Burma. |
| 1888 | 12 | Buys a small skiff and teaches himself to sail. | Slavery
abolished in Brazil
George Eastman produces roll film camera Edward Bellamy popularizes the ideal socialist utopia in his futuristic novel (set in 2000), "Looking Backwards" Vincent Van Gogh paints "Sunflowers" Robert Louis Stevensons sets sail for the South Seas |
| 1890 | 14 | Works in cannery, pressure of family's poverty leads Jack to frequently work overtime, 18-20 hours at a stretch. | Massacre of Sioux Indians at Wounded Knee by U.S. Cavalry. |
| 1891 | 15 | Graduates from Cole Grammar School (8th grade). Disgusted with factory drudgery and low wages, turns Oyster pirate; buys sloop "The Razzle Dazzle" with money borrowed from Virginia Prentiss. Becomes a master sailor on San Francisco Bay. Is known as the "Prince of the Oyster Pirates". Eventually becomes disillusioned with pirate life. | Britain
claims East & Central Africa; Factory Act prohibits employment of children
under age 11 in Britain
French artist Paul Gauguin paints in Tahiti Famine in Russia follows crop failure. Construction on Trans- Siberian Railroad begins |
| 1892 | 16 | John London works as a watchman, the family is living at 971 West Street. Jack hired by Fish Patrol to stop the oyster pirates. Makes a suicide attempt when falls in deep water while drunk but changes his mind. Gives up Fish Patrol, joins a rough gang, is given the moniker " Sailor Kid" learns how to hobo as a "Road Kid". | French
occupy Benin, West Africa
Ellis Island in New York Harbor is opened by the U.S. government to process immigrants |
| 1893
January 20 November 12 |
17 | Family
moves to 1321 22nd. Ave. Jack signs on as sailor on the three-masted
schooner 'Sophia Sutherland', for a seven month sealing voyage along
the coast of Japan and the Behring Sea. After returning to Oakland,
works in jute mill for 10 cents per hour.
At the urging of his mother, Flora, Jack enters a contest for a descriptive article. His essay:" Story of a Typhoon Off the Coast of Japan", wins first prize ($25.00) in the competition and is published in the San Francisco Call. His competitors include students from Stanford and the University of California. In addition to being his first time published, this is the first time Jack earns money by writing. |
U.S.
forces depose Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii
France annexes Laos, Ivory Coast becomes a French colony New Zealand becomes first country granting women the right to vote Czech composer Antonin Dvorak's "New World Symphony" performed in New York. Norwegian Artist Edvard Munch paints "The Scream" |
| 1894
April
May
June/July |
18 | Works
shoveling coal for street railway power plant. Discovers how exploited
he has been by doing the work of two men.
Joins Kelley's army, the western contingent of "Coxey's Industrial Army of the Unemployed", a group of the unemployed who marched on the capital in Washington D.C. Thousands of other have-nots from all over the United States participated in this trek. Coxey's contingent marched out of Massilon, Ohio (family home of Jack's mother, Flora) with 100 men. Jack keeps diary. Deserts
and strikes out on his own. Visits Chicago to see the World's Columbian
Exposition, collects mail and money sent by Flora. Spends time
in St. Joseph, Michigan with Flora's sister, Mary Everhard who encourages
his ideas about writing (later names protagonist of THE IRON HEEL after
a cousin: Ernest Everhard ).
Arrested for vagrancy in Buffalo, New York, spends 30 days in Erie County jail in violation of his legal rights. In Boston, encounters intellectual, educated hobos who introduce him to the modern world of ideas (Darwin/ Nietzsche/ Marx). Meets Frank Strawn-Hamilton. Learns to think of education as a means to social ascent and socialism as the promise of the future |
(Source
re JL :JL&HT)
French military convicts Dreyfus, a Jewish French military officer, of treason; world wide protest and the efforts of many advocates leads to a new trial-eventually his name is cleared Rudyard Kipling publishes "The Jungle Book" |
| 1895 | 19 | Returns to Oakland determined to finish High School and go to University. In addition to attending Oakland High School, works as a janitor at the school. Publishes articles and essays in the Aegis, Oakland High School's literary magazine. Out of place among his fellow students "middle class boys and girls". Joins Henry Clay Debating Team. Embarks on intense regimen of self education; becomes friends with Oakland Public Library's Frederick Irons Bamford, Reference Librarian and Fred Jacobs. Bamford and Jack share an interest in socialism, Bamford exposes Jack to the writings of Ruskin, Carlyle, Arnold and Morris. Fred Jacobs while not a socialist, shares the similar experience of working his way through high school. Fred introduces Jack toTed and Mabel Applegarth. Also to his fiancé, Bess Maddern who is going to night school in hopes of entering University. Bess Maddern would later become Jack's first wife. In addition to these new friends, spends time with British socialist Jim Whitaker who teaches him boxing and fencing. | (JL
Source:JL&HT¹)
Jose
Marti leads revolution against Spanish rule in Cuba
|
| 1896
April
August |
20 | Officially
joins the Oakland branch of the Socialist Labor Party.
Frustrated and appalled at the idea of two more years of High School, borrows money from step-sister Eliza Shepard to enter "cramming" Academy (a college preparatory academy), but after completing the full two years worth in one semester, the extraordinary student is dismissed and his money refunded in full (he makes the other students look bad, which is bad for business). Begins "cramming" on his own, studies 19 hours a day in preparation for entrance exams at The University of California, Berkeley in August. Is tutored by Bess Maddern in mathematics and Fred Jacobs in physics. Takes
and passes University entrance exams, enters University of California,
Berkeley and completes first (Fall) semester. Writes first sociological
essays, brief stories about his trip to Siberia.
|
(Source
for JL: JL&HT)
In response to ongoing Pogroms in Russia and the Dreyfus Affair, Political Zionism founded by Hungarian Theodore Herzl who calls for creation of a Jewish state Ethiopia's independence recognized by Italy |
| 1897
February
4
February
12
July
25
October 14 |
21 | From
step relatives, learns to his shock that John London is not his father.
Locates and corresponds with William Chaney who refuses to acknowledge
his paternity, an even greater shock.
Disillusioned with academia, the lack of political sincerity on the part of both the students and the professors, and feeling the pinch of poverty, quits the University. In
a test case to challenge the constitutionality of a law which infringed
upon free speech, Jack volunteers and is arrested for speaking
in public without permission of the mayor.
Writes
feverishly but unsuccessfully on a borrowed typewriter with only
capital letters. Exhausting work in a steam laundry leaves
no energy for reading or writing.
One of the first who follows the gold rush to Alaska "Grubstaked" (funded) and accompanied by his elderly brother-in- law, Captain James Shepard. Departs aboard the "SS Umatilla" for PortTownsend Washington, then aboard the "City of Topeka " for Juneau Alaska. Warned of the arduous journey ahead (such as the Chilkoot Pass), Shepard returns to Oakland. Step-father John London dies. Struggles to survive, spends winter in cabin in the Klondike, finds no gold, suffers from scurvy. Gains wealth of material for future writing. |
(Source
for JL :JL&HT)
Apache groups continue to battle the U.S. government in resistance to forcible removal to reservations. Bram Stoker publishes Dracula. Mosquito
as source of malaria identified by D. Ronald Ross.
|
| 1898
June July |
22 | Travels
by rough boat down the Yukon River, makes notes for future writing.
Works his way home as a coal stoker. Returns ill and broke to California.Unable to find work, briefly tries prospecting in the California Mountains. Begins writing about the "White Frontier" in the high north. Flora supplements family income of her small pension by teaching music, also takes Johnny Miller, son of John London's daughter, Ida, into her home where he is raised. Jack's
friend and Bess Maddern's fiancé, Fred Jacobs enlists and dies enroute
to Manilla (Spanish American War)
. |
Spanish
American War,
U. S. gains the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico Cuba wins independence from Spain, but is occupied by U.S. military Britain & France claim Egypt Pierre & Marie Curie discover radium |
| 1899
January
July
December
|
23 | To
the Man on Trail published by the "Overland Monthly" for
fee of $5.00
Is offered job at the Post Office but turns it down Begins correspondence with Cloudsley Johns, a writer, critic, and an early fan The "Atlantic Monthly", a leading U.S. magazine accepts "An Odyssey of the North" for publication in January 1900 , fee of $40.00. Meets Anna Strunsky, a brilliant and charming Stanford University student of Russian Jewish descent. Their challenging relationship, stimulated by differing opinions, led to co-authorship. |
Socialist
Labor Party goes through faction al diputes in these years
Second
trial of French officer
Second Boer War begins Composer Jean Sibelius writes symphony "Finlandia" |
| 1900
January
April 7 |
24 | An
Odyssey of the North published in "Atlantic Monthly".
Moves household (Flora London and Johnny Miller) to East 15th Street A Son of the Wolf published by Houghton Mifflin. This is London´s first book, a collection of his best short-stories, which is often called the "beginning of the modern American short-story". In a move which surprises many, but fits with his own plans, marries his friend and former tutor, Bessie Maddern on the same day his first book is published, April 7. |
Turn
of the century
Boxer Rebellion in China Famine in India Paris,
France: opening of the World Exhibition and the Paris Metro
Kodak Brownie Box Camera available for $1.00K Sigmund Freud publishes "The Interpretation of Dreams" |
| 1901
January 15 May |
25 | Birth
of daughter Joan.
Becomes member of the new "Socialist Party". Runs for mayor of Oakland on the Socialst balllot. The God of his Fathers & Other Stories published by McLure, Phillips, second collection of short-stories. |
Formation
of U.S. Socialist Party
Commonwealth of Australia formed Britain's Queen Victoria dies Ashanti Kingdom in Africa annexed by the U.K. U.S. President McKinley assisinated, Theodore Roosevelt becomes president Russia occupies Manchuria Marconi sents first Morse code radio signals across Atlantic |
| 1902
February September
October
October
20
July-October
|
26 | Moves
family to semi-rural Piedmont Hills
Children of the Frost, another collection of short-stories published by Macmillan Publishes Cruize of the Dazzler (Century)and the novel A Daughter of the Snows (Lippincott) Daughter Bess (later known as Becky) born. Travels to London, one of the wealthest capitals on earth, initially hired as a war-correspondent to write about the Boer War in South-Africa, but the war ends prior to his arrival in London. So he decides to stay and investigates "under cover" the situation of "The People of the Abyss...." |
Second
Boer War ends
Republic of Cuba declared Catastrophic eruption of Mount Pelee buries St. Pierre, Martinique, leaving as the only survivor, a prisoner in the city jail. French laws improve working conditions Italian tenor Enrique Caruso's 1st
record sells one million copies
|
| 1903
January 8 May
July
August
October |
27 | William
Henry Chaney dies in Chicago, Illinois
The
Kempton-Wace Letters
The Call of the Wild published(Macmillan), London's all-time bestseller, an allegoryi n which a dog abandons civilization and returns to the origins of nature. Sells all rights to publisher for $2000.00 Falls in love with Charmian Kittredge and decides to separate from Bess. Jack moves into Frank Atherton's home in Oakland The
People of the Abyss published (Macmillan)
|
Panama
gains independence
Pogroms in Russia Turkish massacre Bulgarians ending Macedonian uprising Dutch government forces end to strike of railroad and dockworkers by calling in troops Attempting to limit immigration, U.S. imposes $2.00 per person tax on all immigrants Wright brothers invent a successful
powered aircraft, first flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C.
First Ford Model A automobile sold |
| 1904
January-June
April
June
October |
28 | Hired
by Hearst to cover the Russo-Japanese war. Under adventurous circumstances,
Jack London, the only Western reporter to do so,reaches the front of the
Russian-Japanese war.
Faith of Men & Other Stories published(Macmillan) Bessie M. London sues for divorce, on grounds of desertion, Anna Strunksky named in the case. The Sea Wolf published (Macmillan) and becomes book of the season in the US in the following year, 1905. |
Russian
expansion into Manchuria leads to Russo-Japanese war
Helen Keller graduates with honors from Radcliffe College Theodore Roosevelt elected to 4 year U.S. Presidential term Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov experiments with creating "conditioned reflex" in dogs J.M. Barrie's play "Peter Pan" performed
|
| 1905
April
June
September
October
November
18
November
19
December
27
|
29 | Runs
as Candidate for Mayor of Oakland on Socialist ticket receives 981
votes.
War of the Classes published (Macmillan) revolutionary essays. The Game published (Macmillan), a novel about boxing. Spends summer at Wake Robin Lodge, Glen Ellen, Sonoma County Tales of the Fish Patrol published (Macmillan) Buys
129 acre Hill Ranch, Glen Ellen
Begins a four-month socialist lecture tour, where Jack London puts foward his essay Revolution again and again. In this essay he calls openly for a coup Divorce from Bessie M. London final. Marries Charmian Kittredge in Chicago,Illinois. Honeymoon in Jamaica and Cuba |
Norway
gains independence from Sweden
Earthquake in India's Lahore province claims 10,000 lives Revolution begins in Russia but is
crushed
Albert Einstein formstheory of relativity Group of Expressionist artists,
"Die Bruke" form in Germany
"Les Fauves" artists Matisse, Braque, Derain, Vlamink and Dufy shock the Paris art world with their wild colors
|
| 1906
April 18-19
May
September
October
November |
30 | Begins
to build the yacht "Snark" (named after a being in Lewis Carroll's Alice
in Wonderland).
Reports
on the San Fancisco earthquake for Collier's Weekly "The Story of
An Eye-Witness" published in May 5 edition.
The Londons take a brief vacation, horseback trip through Northern California Moon-Face & other Stories published (Macmillan) White Fang published (Macmillan) Scorn
of Women published (Macmillan)
|
Spain and France agree to share control of Morocco In France, Dreyfus declared innocent Devastating earthquake in San Francisco levels much of the City Film companies worldwide set up studios in New York City First (voice) radio broadcast
|
| 1907
April
23
May-October
November |
31 | Leaving
Charmian's aunt, Ninetta Eames, in charge of the ranch and business affairs
the Londons depart for a proposed seven year voyage around
the world.
The Snark sets sail Discovering that Charmian's Uncle, Sailing Master Roscoe Eames, is incompetent, London teaches himself navigation and arrives safely in Hawaii Stay in Hawwian Islands,
The Road published (Macmillan) his wonderful account of adventures as a hobo, a colorful painting of his time. |
Indian
patriot Gandhi leads civil disobedience campaign supporting rights
of Indians in South Africa
U.S. supports revolution in Nicaragua New Zealand becomes a dominion of the British empire Spanish artist Pablo Picasso creaties the first Cubist painting "Les Damoiselles d' Avignon" |
| 1908 | 32 | Stay in the south-sea, Hawaii, adventures with headhunters, visit of a leper's colony etc. | |
| 1909 | 33 | Return
to California, enforced by desease.
Martin Eden, autobiographical novel. |
|
| 1910 | 34 | Enlarges his ranch to a model of modern agriculture. | |
| 1911 | 35 | dito; South Seal Tales a.m. | |
| 1912 | 36 | dito;
Smoke
Bellew , written only for the market but very successful and enyoable
return of the Alaska-Theme.
Journey on a four-mast vessel round Cape Horn (Basics for "The Mutiny of the Elsinore"). |
Sinking of the Titanic |
| 1913 | 37 | On
the surface the most successful year. Jack London´s - best money
making author of the world -, in his private life a year of catastrophes:
alienation form his daughters, troubles with bess, loss of unborn children
by Charmian, failures in agricultures, Wolf House burns down. weiter...
John Barleycorn , the bible of the Prohibition movement- written by a notorious drinker. |
|
| 1914 | 38 | a.o. The Valley of the Moon, a sentimental eulogy of the landlife as escape from proletarian drudgery. | World War I |
| 1915 | 39 | War
correspondent in Mexico.
The Star Rover, Novel about re-incarnation and a harsh pillory of punishment in state prisons. |
|
| 1916 | 40 | 22.11.
dies on kidneys failure after 14 hours of agony on his Beauty-Ranch at
Glen Ellen, Sonoma-County.
|
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¹ ) JL&HT = abbr. "Jack London and his Times" back to text
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