Upton Sinclair
An American novelist, journalist, and political activist, famous for his muckraking journalism and socialist views. His groundbreaking novel, The Jungle, exposed the unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry, leading to significant food safety legislation. Sinclair's work often aimed to highlight social injustices and advocate for reform, using powerful and often shocking narratives to bring about change.
A harrowing expose of the American meatpacking industry in the early 20th century, The Jungle follows immigrant worker Jurgis Rudkus as he endures exploitation, poverty, and tragedy. Intended to highlight workers’ rights, it shocked readers with its depiction of unsanitary conditions, leading to major food safety reforms. Sinclair’s powerful, muckraking novel remains a classic of social criticism and a landmark in investigative literature.