Upton Beall Sinclair Jr.
- Born:
- September 20, 1878, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Died:
- November 25, 1968, Bound Brook, New Jersey, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Writer, Journalist, Political Activist
Early Life and Education
- Born into a Southern family with roots in the American Revolution.
- Spent his early years in poverty despite his family's aristocratic background.
- Entered the City College of New York at the age of 14.
- Supported himself through college by writing dime novels and jokes.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his career as a writer and journalist focused on social issues.
- Gained prominence as a muckraker, exposing corruption and social injustice.
- Ran for Governor of California in 1934 on the EPIC (End Poverty in California) platform.
- Awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1943 for Dragon's Teeth.
- Known for his prolific output, writing over 90 books across various genres.
Notable Works
- The Jungle (1906): Exposed the unsanitary conditions of the American meatpacking industry, leading to the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act.
- Oil! (1927): A critical examination of the oil industry and its influence on American society.
- Boston (1928): A novel based on the Sacco and Vanzetti case.
- Dragon's Teeth (1942): A historical novel set in pre-World War II Germany.
- Lanny Budd Series: A series of eleven novels tracing the career of Lanny Budd, a protagonist who interacts with historical figures and events of the 20th century.
Legacy and Impact
Upton Sinclair was a significant figure in American literature and social reform. His work exposed social injustices, influenced legislation, and inspired generations of writers and activists. The impact of the Upton biography is readily apparent in many college level history and literature courses.