Upton Sinclair (1878-1968) born in Baltimore, Maryland was an American writer and social activist. His political and social views served as the underpinning themes of many of his works. Sinclair unsuccessfully ran for public office throughout his life, yet it was through his prolific literary output that he was able to influence profound social and legislative reform in the United States. Although The Jungle is regarded as his best-known work, he won the 1943 Pulitzer Prize for his novel Dragon's Teeth. His 1927 novel Oil! was the basis of the 2007 film There Will Be Blood.