Samuel Langhorne Clemens
- Born:
- November 30, 1835, Florida, Missouri, USA
- Died:
- April 21, 1910, Redding, Connecticut, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Author, Humorist, Publisher, Lecturer
Early Life and Education
- Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in Florida, Missouri.
- Moved to Hannibal, Missouri, a Mississippi River town, at age four, which deeply influenced his writing.
- Apprenticed as a printer at age 12 following his father's death.
- Worked as a typesetter and contributor for his brother Orion's newspaper.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River, adopting the pen name "Mark Twain" from riverboat slang.
- Began his writing career with humorous sketches and travelogues for newspapers.
- Achieved international fame with his novels, short stories, and essays, known for their wit, satire, and social commentary.
- Established his own publishing house, Charles L. Webster and Company.
- Lectured extensively, captivating audiences with his storytelling and humor.
Notable Works
- The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876)
- The Prince and the Pauper (1881)
- Life on the Mississippi (1883)
- Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884)
- A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1889)
- Posthumously published, the multi-volume Autobiography of Mark Twain, exploring his life and philosophies in an unconventional, dictated format.
Legacy and Impact
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, is considered one of the greatest American writers. His works continue to be widely read and studied, influencing generations of authors and shaping American literature with his distinct voice and insightful social commentary.