A new look at Jack London

LOGAN – Jack London was an American author, journalist and adventurer. Known commonly for his books “The Call of the Wild” and “White Fang,” he rose to  fame by writing about the natural world and the struggle to survive.

Described as “a living symbol of rugged individualism” in a biography on the Jack London State Historic Park website, London spent much of his life traveling at sea, in the Yukon valley, and across the American west. He wrote about high adventure, and he lived it.

New perspectives in the literary field, along with archives from Utah State University, tell a somewhat different story.

Behind the glass walls of the Specials Collections and Archives Department within the Merrill-Cazier Library lies one of the world’s largest collections of the author. Here, archivist Dan Davis uncovers the life and work of London, as well as the history of the collection.

Davis said the institution also houses one of the most London manuscripts in the world, second only to the Huntington Library in California. He believes the collection is expansive due to the work of former USU English Professor King Hendricks.

“He was really interested in Jack London,” Davis said. “He bought up  everything that he could find that was within his price range.”

Hendricks frequently corresponded with his friend Irving Shepard, London’s nephew and executor of his estate, which Davis explains is how they received the large collection.

“They came up with an arrangement to donate those materials to USU,” Davis said. “They were more interested in the grounds and the Ranch House rather than the papers.”

After Shepard agreed to donate London’s papers to USU, the university compiled the works by Jack London. But it isn’t Hendricks’s collection of London’s fiction Davis finds fascinating–it’s his letters.

“The letters they wrote are really interesting to me, even if it’s just to see their handwriting,” Davis said.

By “they,” Davis means London and his second wife, Charmian. Davis explained how the couple frequently corresponded, shedding light on London’s personal relationships and everyday life.

“You study someone, read them, and then to kind of see them,” Davis said, “It’s like behind the scenes.”

In a particular letter to Charmian, London talked about matters of his estate, and then described his evening plans. London wrote, “Anyway, its’ raining and blowing, and I’m going to quit now and play pinochle with Jerry Carlin.”

Getting a first hand look at London’s thought process and day-to-day life like this is exactly the type of history Davis finds exciting. It is also history he thinks brings London’s true identity to the surface.

The archives collection of London includes his “Tramp Diary,” a book of journal entries written by the author as he traveled across the United States. The diary is one of Davis’ favorite pieces, as it includes a tie to Utah.

In an excerpt from the Tramp Diary from his time in Ogden, Utah, London wrote, “Arrived here at 12:50 this morning….One surprising thing is the cheapness of everything. Strolling through the town I noticed several log houses which must have been built during the early days.”

While visiting Utah, London greatly concerned himself with the state and the price of homes. He was concerned with writing about the economy rather than his day. Davis believes London’s focus coincides perfectly with his lesser-known identity.

“He was a devout socialist,” Davis said.

Pages in USU’s digital exhibit on London detail how London joined a labor union known as “Kelly’s Army” when he was 18 years old. Traveling on his own to meet up with the union in Nebraska, the pages suggest he was inspired by “the cause of the working man,” which led him to socialism.

“He saw people who had worked in industry and in factories who were physically deformed and had injuries as a result of that,” Davis said. “That really solidified his commitment to socialism.”

While London’s novels like The Call of the Wild are more naturalistic, period pieces, in Davis’ opinion, he thinks his ideas behind fair labor and exploitation are more relevant.

“I’m not a socialist, but I still think those issues of labor and being fairly compensated are still very relevant to today,” Davis said.

Former USU English Professor Paul Crumbley thinks London’s devotion to socialism is ironic.

“He was a huge success in terms of capitalist achievement,” Crumbley said.

In an article in The New Yorker, London is described as a prodigious earner–making more than $10,000 a month. Crumnley claims London also chose to spend most of his money–all while maintaining his socialist views.

While Crumbley thinks London’s wealth is interesting as a part of the author’s story, he doesn’t deny how it helped him live the adventures he dreamed of. In 1911, London published a book called “The Cruise of the Snark,” detailing a sailing trip he took with his wife that didn’t go as planned.

“He set sail with his crew from San Francisco in 1907 and discovered, en route to Honolulu, Hawaii, that the person he was relying on as navigator was incompetent,” Crumbley said.

Crumbley details how London, while up to his knees in water as the ship leaked, took it upon himself to fix the situation–and still write more than 1,000 words a day.

“He taught himself celestial navigation while on the high seas,” said Crumbley. “He took control of the vessel and got them to Honolulu on the day they predicted.”

While Crumbley thinks London’s feats and adventures make the author interesting, he finds his relevance elsewhere.

“He is being examined now in terms of his influence and his exploration of gender,” Crumbley said.

Crumbley explained how London would read in bars and saloons to avoid being seen as “feminine.” London also wrote from the perspective of female characters, which Crumbley described as unusual for his time.

“Women characters play a huge role in a number of his works,” Crumbley said. “You can look at him in terms of what he has to say about masculinity and femininity.”

London lived in what Crumbley describes as a “male-dominated world,” which he believes led London to question his place in society. He thinks people in modern society struggle with this too, and can turn to London for help.

“His work is a source of insight for people who are coming to terms with their own sexual identity,” said Crumbley.

In addition, Crumbley believes London knows how to entertain.

“He can be a page turner.” Crumbley. “He still appeals on that level, absolutely.”

As a gender-influenced writer and entertainer, Crumbley thinks London has found a way to become a part of the American narrative, not just through his adventures.

“He has a lot to say that I think is of enormous relevance today,” Crumbley said.