John Steinbeck was an American author born on February 27, 1902, in Salinas, California. He is best known for his novels that explore themes of social injustice, human struggle, and the American experience during the Great Depression. Some of his most famous works include The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men, and East of Eden. Steinbeck's writing often reflects his deep empathy for the working class and marginalized individuals. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962 for his realistic and imaginative writings, which have had a lasting impact on American literature and culture. He passed away on December 20, 1968.