Mark Twain

Mark Twain is a highly intelligent adventurer who is famous for writing one of the classic American novels. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

In the Beginning

Mark Twain (born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, Mark Twain is his pen name) was born on November 30, 1835 in Florida, Missouri. He was the sixth child to be born to Jane and John Clemens. He was four years old when his family moved to Hannibal. His father, John, worked a number of jobs. He worked as a land speculator, storekeeper, judge, and lawyer. He had big dreams of wealth, but could never reach it. There were times it was hard for him to even provide for the family. Twain's mother on the other hand enjoyed having fun. She was a homemaker, and spent many a winter's eve telling stories to the family. John passed away in 1847, making Jane head of the house. At this point in time the Clemens became known as destitute due to the change in their situation. This means years where the family struggled, and served to shape Mark Twain not only as a person, but his career too. Mark Twain lived in  Hannibal until he was seventeen years old. Violence was common in the town Twain grew up in. He was usually a witness to death too. When he was only nine he saw a man murdered on a cattle ranch. At the age of ten a slave died in front of him when a white overseer struck the man with a piece of iron. Twain stayed in school until he was twelve years old. His family needed money, so he got a job as an apprentice printer at Hannibal Courier. He received a ration of food as his payment. When he was fifteen, he got a job as an editor, writer, and printed at Hannibal Western Union. The small newspaper was owned by a brother of his named Orion.

Career Accomplishments

Mark Twain was an interesting man. On top of publishing two major classics for American literature that are still enjoyed to this day. He worked as an inventor, riverboat pilot, entrepreneur, journalist, and lecturer. He even invented his pen name, Mark Twain, despite his real name being Samuel L. Clemens. For the last fifteen years of his life he had degrees from Yale and Oxford. Along with public honors. He was applauded and photographed as well whenever he traveled, and considered a celebrity for his time.

Most Known For

Mark Twain published many works, but two of his novels have become known as American classics. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn two of his most popular novels.

Where Are They Now

Later in his years, Twain became bitter. He did project a cheerful public image though. In privacy he was insensitive to his loved ones and friends. Twain still wrote, but rarely finished the majority of his projects. His memory began to go. He suffered from severe paranoia and anger issues. At times he would sink into a deep depression as well. He tried to ease it by reading in bed, playing cards or billiards for hours, and smoking cigars. Twain passed away on April 21, 1910 when he was 74 years old in Redding, Connecticut. He was put to rest in Elmira, New York.