The author of the story

Jack London (born John Griffith Chaney) was a 19th century American novelist and short-story writer, journalist and social activist.

Throughout his life, London published prolifically: stories, essays, news articles and novels. He remained devoted to the idea of socialism, and twice ran for Mayor on a socialist platform.

Jack London wrote in a style known as "naturalism". This literary movement used detailed realism to suggest that social conditions, heredity, and environment had inescapable force in shaping human character. The novels of Jack London are typically somewhat autobiographical. He is best known for books that center around a character in a struggle against nature, but there are also a great many buried themes and messages within his books.

Though he wrote passionately about the great questions of life and death and the struggle to survive with dignity and integrity, he also sought peace and quiet inspiration. His stories of high adventure were based on his own experiences at sea, in the Yukon Territory, and in the fields and factories of California.  His writings appealed to millions worldwide.

Full of laughter, restless and courageous, always eager for adventure, Jack London was one of the most romantic figures of this time.  He ascribed his worldwide literary success largely to hard work - to 'dig', as he put it.

Several of the books and many of the short stories are classics and still popular; some have been translated into as many as 70 languages. His novels, including The Call of the Wild, White Fang and Martin Eden, placed London among the most popular American authors of his time.