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Jack London and Bert hop picking
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Jack London and Bert hop picking
The writer Jack London (right) and a companion in Kent to experience hop-picking. London was in England for several weeks, living incognito amongst the poor in the East End of London. Date: circa 1902
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Media ID 14147510
© Mary Evans/Peter Higginbotham Collection
Companion Experience Incognito Jack Living Poor Weeks 1902 Hop Picking
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This evocative photograph captures the renowned American writer Jack London (1876-1916) and an unidentified companion during their immersive experience in the hop fields of Kent, England, around 1902. At the height of his literary career, London embarked on a journey to Europe, seeking to understand the lives of the working class and the plight of the poor. He spent several weeks living incognito in the East End of London, but his curiosity led him to venture further into the English countryside to experience the seasonal labor of hop picking. Hop picking was a labor-intensive and physically demanding process, where workers carefully picked ripe hops and secured them onto strings to dry. London's decision to participate in this arduous work was not only a way to connect with the laborers but also to gather material for his future writings. His experiences during this time would later influence his works, such as "The People of the Abyss" and "The Road," which delve into the harsh realities of poverty and the human condition. The photograph shows London (right) wearing a simple work shirt and a straw hat, blending in with the hop pickers. His companion, dressed similarly, looks intently at the camera, while London gazes off into the distance, perhaps lost in thought or contemplating the stories he would soon write. This image offers a rare glimpse into London's personal life and his dedication to understanding the human experience, making it an invaluable historical document.
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