Frank Norris was an American novelist and journalist born on March 5, 1870, in Chicago, Illinois. He is best known for his works that explore the themes of naturalism and social criticism. His most famous novels include McTeague and The Octopus, which depict the struggles of individuals against larger societal forces. Norris was a key figure in the literary movement known as naturalism, which emphasizes the influence of environment and heredity on human behavior. He died at a young age of 32 on October 25, 1902, but his writings have had a lasting impact on American literature and continue to be studied today.