John Ernest #Steinbeck (2/27/1902 - 12/20 1968). Author of 33 novels, including "Of Mice and Men", "East of Eden", "The Grapes of Wrath"... ect. 1940 Pulitzer Prize, 1962 Nobel Prize. Works center on the working class, the downtrodden, justice, predestination, fate. News correspondent in WWII Europe (his wounds and trauma informed his later writings) Quote: "The free exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world." Thanks John! #author #dinnerguest