Final answer:
John Steinbeck is the 20th century American author best known for writing "Of Mice and Men" (1937) and "The Grapes of Wrath" (1939).
Step-by-step explanation:
John Steinbeck is the 20th century American author best known for writing "Of Mice and Men" (1937) and "The Grapes of Wrath" (1939). Steinbeck's novels explore themes of social injustice, the struggles of the working class, and the strength of community. His works are studied in English classes to understand the impact of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl on American society.