John Ernst Steinbeck was an American writer, renowned for his realistic and imaginative writings. He was awarded the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature "for his realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humor and keen social perception." He is often referred to as "a giant of American letters."

During his illustrious writing career, he authored a total of 33 books, including 16 novels, six non-fiction books, and two collections of short stories. Among these, he co-authored one book with Edward Ricketts. Some of his most famous works include the comic novels Tortilla Flat (1935) and Cannery Row (1945), the multi-generational epic East of Eden (1952), and the novellas The Red Pony (1933) and Of Mice and Men (1937). His Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Grapes of Wrath (1939) is considered his masterpiece and a crucial part of the American literary canon, having sold over 14 million copies by its 75th anniversary.

Steinbeck's work often features settings in his native central California, particularly the Salinas Valley and the California Coast Ranges region. His writings frequently delve into the themes of fate and injustice, especially as they relate to downtrodden or everyman protagonists.