The author of one of the best selling novels including Of Mice and Men, the third child of Olive Hamilton and a hard working boy in the “Salad Bowl of the Nation”, John Steinbeck. Steinbeck was brought up in Salinas, California during the Great Depression. This might have influenced his setting for Of Mice and Men. As well as George and Lennie life as a farm worker, since Steinbeck also grew up in a farm setting. Born on February 27, 1902, this renowned author created Of Mice and Men from the edges of his childhood. In other words, some of the key factors that might have influenced his writing would include his work on the farm as well as being surrounded by a “secluded valley”. Not only that, but another key elements that might have influenced