# Martin Eden

> 1909 novel by Jack London

**Wikidata**: [Q1317839](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1317839)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Eden)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/martin-eden

## Summary
Martin Eden is a 1909 novel written by the American author Jack London, published by Macmillan Inc. The work is classified as a Künstlerroman, a literary genre focusing on an artist's development, and has been recognized as one of Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century.

## Key Facts
- **Publication Date:** September 1, 1909
- **Inception Year:** 1909
- **Author:** Jack London (American author, journalist, and social activist; 1876–1916)
- **Publisher:** Macmillan Inc. (American publishing company founded in 1896, headquartered in New York City)
- **Literary Classification:** Literary work (written work read for enjoyment or edification) and Künstlerroman (artist's novel)
- **Country of Origin:** United States (Independence declared July 4, 1776; recognized by Treaty of Paris 1783)
- **Awards/Recognition:** Included in Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century
- **Digital Presence:** 48 sitelinks across Wikimedia projects; Wikipedia title is "Martin Eden"
- **Author's Citizenship:** United States
- **Author's Occupations:** Author, journalist, social activist, and various other roles including , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 

## FAQs
**What genre of literature does Martin Eden belong to?**
The novel is categorized as a Künstlerroman, which is a specific subgenre of the artist's novel that traces the psychological and moral growth of an artist. It also falls under the broader class of literary works intended for enjoyment or edification.

**Who published the novel and when was the publishing company established?**
Macmillan Inc., an American publishing company, released the book on September 1, 1909. This publisher was originally founded in 1896 and maintains its headquarters in New York City.

**What is the significance of the United States in the context of this work?**
The United States is the country of origin for both the author, Jack London, and the publisher, Macmillan Inc. The nation's history, including its 1776 Declaration of Independence and 1783 Treaty of Paris recognition, provides the historical backdrop for the author's citizenship and the work's creation.

**Has Martin Eden received any major literary recognition?**
Yes, the novel was selected for inclusion in Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century, a prestigious list curated by the French newspaper. This recognition highlights its enduring impact and status as a significant work of global literature.

## Why It Matters
Martin Eden serves as a critical case study in the Künstlerroman genre, offering a profound exploration of the struggles inherent in an artist's development and the clash between individual ambition and societal expectations. Its inclusion in Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century underscores its global relevance and lasting influence on literary discourse regarding class, education, and the nature of success. By documenting the life of Jack London, a multifaceted figure who was not only a novelist but also a journalist and social activist, the work provides insight into the intellectual and social currents of early 20th-century America. The novel remains a vital text for understanding the historical context of the United States during a period of rapid industrialization and social change.

## Notable For
- **Genre Definition:** It stands as a definitive example of the Künstlerroman, specifically detailing the trajectory of an artist's life.
- **Historical Recognition:** It is one of the select few works honored on Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century list.
- **Authorial Legacy:** It represents the output of Jack London, a figure with an exceptionally diverse portfolio of occupations ranging from social activism to journalism.
- **Publishing History:** It was released by Macmillan Inc., a major American publishing house with a history dating back to 1896.
- **Digital Footprint:** The entity maintains a robust presence with 48 distinct sitelinks across Wikimedia projects, indicating high cross-referential importance.

## Body

### Publication and Origin
Martin Eden was published on September 1, 1909, marking its inception as a literary work in that same year. The novel was released by Macmillan Inc., a prominent American publishing company that was established in 1896. Macmillan Inc. is headquartered in New York City and operates within the United States. The work is fundamentally a written text designed for the purposes of enjoyment or edification, fitting the broad definition of a literary work.

### Author and National Context
The novel was authored by Jack London, a multifaceted American figure who lived from 1876 to 1916. London held citizenship in the United States, a country whose independence was declared on July 4, 1776, and formally recognized by the Treaty of Paris in 1783. Beyond his role as the creator of Martin Eden, London's professional life was extensive; his occupations included author, journalist, social activist, and numerous other roles identified by specific classification codes such as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and . This diverse professional background informs the depth and social commentary found within the novel.

### Literary Classification and Genre
The work is specifically classified as a Künstlerroman, a literary genre dedicated to the story of an artist's development. This classification places it within a specific tradition of the artist's novel, distinguishing it from other forms of fiction. As a literary work, it is intended to be read for both enjoyment and edification, serving a dual purpose of entertainment and intellectual instruction. The sitelink count for the broader literary work class is 20, while the Künstlerroman class has 6 associated sitelinks, indicating its specific niche within the literary ecosystem.

### Recognition and Digital Presence
Martin Eden has achieved significant recognition in the literary world, most notably being included in Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century. This list is a Wikimedia list article associated with France and contains 70 sitelinks, highlighting the global nature of the recognition. In the digital realm, the entity "Martin Eden" has a substantial footprint with 48 sitelinks across various Wikimedia projects. The primary Wikipedia title for this entity is "Martin Eden," and the Wikidata description succinctly defines it as a "1909 novel by Jack London." The United States, as the country of origin, holds 423 sitelinks, reflecting its massive historical and cultural footprint compared to the specific work.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Martin Eden by Jack London | Open Library](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL144822W/Martin_Eden)
4. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute