Martin Eden, who is semi-autobiographical, is Jack London's most significant and unique creation to date. The story of Martin Eden, a poor fisherman who pursues his goals of higher education and literary success passionately and obsessively, is set in San Francisco. Martin Eden was written as an attack on individuality and a critique of ambition by London, who was dissatisfied with the benefits of his own success; nonetheless, a large part of its renown as a classic has been awarded by supporters of its ambitious protagonist.