Jack London Speaker Series: Tarnel Abbott

Jack London’s great-granddaughter Tarnel Abbott will speak in an interview format presentation. A retired librarian who spent 22 years at the Richmond Public Library, Abbott has dedicated herself to preserving London’s books and papers. She is also a longtime activist, involved in numerous local and international causes, and will share her insights into London’s life and legacy.

She will be interviewed by Gail Yamamoto Seymour, an environmental scientist and advocate for endangered species, climate change adaptation, and environmental justice. She is a third generation Californian Japanese American. Over the past 50 years, Seymour has been a self-educated follower of Jack London’s history, drawn to his adventurous lifestyle and humanitarian ideologies. Gail treasures her friendship with Tarnel Abbott, Jack London’s great granddaughter, because like her great grandfather and grandmother, she is genuinely compassionate and is a vocal activist promoting justice for all.

This is part of a quarterly speaker series, co-presented by the Jack London Society and Jack London Park Partners, in honor of Jack London’s 150th birthday year. The series features a range of experts and scholars, sharing insights into Jack London’s life, work, and legacy and his connections to literature, photography, and the Bay Area.