Thomas Steinbeck

Thomas Myles Steinbeck (August 2, 1944 – August 11, 2016) was an American screenwriter, photographer, and journalist. He published numerous works of fiction, including short stories and novels. He was the elder son of American novelist John Steinbeck.

Life and work

Early years Thomas ("Thom") Steinbeck was born in Manhattan, New York City, to American novelist John Steinbeck and his second wife, singer-composer Gwyndolyn Conger on August 2, 1944. His younger brother John Steinbeck IV was born two years later. His parents' marriage dissolved four years after he was born, He had a good relationship with his famous father, saying that he would rate him "an eight-and-a-half or a nine" on a ten-point scale.

Thom was educated at a number of East Coast boarding schools.

When not in school or on holiday, Thom and his brother traveled widely with their father to Europe, Greece, and North Africa. McNally later gained acclaim as a playwright and won four Tony Awards and an Emmy.

After high school, Thom Steinbeck studied animation at the California Institute of the Arts, then went on to study film at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. and returned to his original posting with AFVN as a television production specialist. After his service, he returned to Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia as a journalist and photographer. The latter included screenplays based on In Dubious Battle, The Pearl, and Travels With Charley.

Steinbeck was an advocate for authors' rights. In 2009, he and his friend folk singer Arlo Guthrie brought a copyright infringement lawsuit against Google that was eventually settled.

At the time of his death, Steinbeck lived with his wife Gail in Santa Barbara, California. According to his family, he died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, nine days after his 72nd birthday.

Selected works Fiction Down to a Soundless Sea. (New York: Ballantine Books, 2002) (hardcover, 1st ed.) – In the Shadow of the Cypress (New York: Gallery Books, 2010) (hardcover, 1st ed.) – The Silver Lotus (Berkeley, CA: Counterpoint, 2011) (hardcover, 1st ed.) – Cabbages and Kings (Post Hill Press, 2013) (eBook edition only) – Mrs. Penngelli and the Pirate (Post Hill Press, 2013) (eBook edition only) – Contributor Light, Melanie. Valley of Shadows and Dreams, with Ken Light (Photographer), Thomas Steinbeck (Foreword); (Berkeley, CA: Heyday Books, 2012) Kannard, Brian. Steinbeck: Citizen Spy, with Thomas Steinbeck (note to the Introduction); (Nashville, TN: Grave Distractions Publications, 2013) Brode, Benjamin. In Search of the Dark Watchers: Landscapes and Lore of Big Sur, with Thomas Steinbeck (Field Notes); (Steinbeck Press, 2014)