EXHIBITS

Jack London at Utah State University: Mate-man Family Letters

Jump to...

Jack and Charmian.

Jack London letter to Charmian London, dated October 25, 1905

Jack London letter to Charmian London, dated August 13, 1912

Jack London letter to Charmian London, dated November 19, 1912

Jack London with his Daughters: Becky "Bess" and Joan. Photo courtesy of the Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

The Jack London and Charmian London Collection at Special Collections & Archives Division, University Libraries, contains a vast amount of correspondence Jack wrote to his wife, Charmian, as well as his daughter, Joan. Jack’s pet name for Charmian was “Mate-woman” while he often signed his letters to her as “Mate-man.” Jack would often use his letters addressed to Joan to relay messages to his ex-wife, Bessie and daughter Becky "Bess."

Jack London letter to Joan London, dated August 24, 1913: Jack wrote to his daughter scolding her for not sending word to him after the burning of his home in 1913 and questions his role in her life.

Jack London letter to Joan London, dated October 11, 1913: Jack would often communicate to his ex-wife, Bessie, through his letters to Joan. Here he responds to a letter sent by Joan, on her mother's behalf, requesting money for repairs on the back steps and work for the backyard.

Letter from Joan London to Jack London, dated October 28, 1913: Joan responds to her father's letter stating she is satisfied with her current living arrangements and resents his "opinions" of her mother.

Jack London letter to Joan London, dated August 22, 1916: In a letter written to his daughters, Jack praises Becky "Bess" for her writing ability. He also asks Joan if she would like him to attend her reading club.