The Life of Jack London Jack London was born January 12, 1876 in San Francisco California. Jack's parents' were Flora Wellman and William Chaney. Flora had grown up wealthy in Ohio. As a child Flora was stricken with thyroid fever which stunned her growth and ruined her looks. In June 1874 Flora started living with astrologer William Chaney. In the summer of 1875 when Flora told Chaney that she was pregnant Chaney panicked and told Flora to leave his home at once. Flora took an overdose of opium. When that failed, Flora shot herself in the head, but missed. Flora's depression kept led her into a mental institution. Six months later, on January 12, 1876, Flora gave bi