Mark Twain was the pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, and he was one of the greatest American authors and humorists of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. While many people know Mark Twain’s stories, you may not know as much information about the life of Mark Twain. The details of his childhood and life show a character with many accomplishments.
Family Background
- He was born Samuel Langhorne Clemens on November 30, 1835 in the town of Florida, Missouri. That was two weeks after Halley’s Comet appeared in its closest approach to the Earth.
- His father was John Marshall Clemens, who worked as a Tennessee country merchant. His mother was Jane Lampton Clemens.
- He was one of seven children, and the second to last child born. Unfortunately, a number of Twain’s siblings died throughout their childhood. Only half of his siblings survived—his brother Orion, his brother Henry, and his sister Pamela.
- In 1839, when he was four, his father moved the family to Hannibal, Missouri, a town by the Mississippi River.
Education and Career
- In 1846, when he was 11 his father died of pneumonia so he quit school and became a printer’s apprentice with the Hannibal Journal to help support his family.
- He continued his work at the Hannibal Journal until 1851, during which time he was made a typesetter and contributed articles and humorous sketches.
- Even though he didn’t go to school as a child for very long, he knew that no matter where he went in life, he could still educate himself by life experiences and by reading at the library during the evening.
- From the ages of 18 to 22 he worked as a printer, traveling from Missouri to New York, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and St. Louis.
- When he was in St. Louis he became fascinated with river boating. He became a steamboat pilot in 1859 after befriending Horace E. Biby, a steamboat pilot, and memorizing over 2000 miles of riverbed.
- From his experience as a licensed river pilot, he chose the pen name by which he his best known – Mark Twain. The term “mark twain” means it is safe to sail because the water’s depth is two fathoms, or 12 feet. “Mark one” is six feet, “mark ta-ree” is 18 feet, and “mark four” is 24 feet.
- The river trade was negatively affected by the Civil War, so he traveled west to Virginia City, Nevada at the height of the silver rush to become a miner and journalist.
- Samuel found work at the Virginia City newspaper and began using the pen name “Mark Twain.” Other pseudonyms he used as a writer were Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass, W. Epaminondas Adrastus Blab, Sergeant Fathom, and Rambler.
- His first claim to fame was an article “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calavaras County” that he wrote in 1865 for the New York Saturday Press. It became an instant success and allowed him to secure a job with the Sacramento Union. The Sacramento Union commissioned him to visit the Sandwich Islands (now known as the state of Hawaii) to write the first of a series of travelogues that became nationally popular. The following year he traveled to the Mediterranean, Europe and the Middle East.
- Twain often drew from his life in his writings.
- His first book, The Innocents Abroad, was published in 1869.
- Growing up in Missouri was the inspiration for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, published in 1876. Inspired by his youth, Twain penned the clever escapades of a young boy.
- A small supporting character became the hero in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, published in 1885, which has been called the first “Great American Novel.”
- Mark Twain had an interesting and diverse literary career. He wrote a total of 28 books along with essays, articles, and short stories.
- Four of his books were published after his death:
- Mark Twain’s Autobiography
- Mark Twain’s Notebook
- Letters from the Earth
- Queen Victoria’s Jubilee
- Mark Twain was thought of as being very wise. Here is a quote from Mark Twain:
“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Personal Life and Interests
- During his trip to the Mediterranean, he met his future brother-in-law who, in turn, introduced him to his future wife, Olivia Langdon. He was married within a few short years to Olivia. Through his wife’s family he was able to meet many famous people. Her family was wealthy and had liberal views on many issues of the day.
- He was married to Olivia for 34 years and they had three children: Clara, Jean, and Susy.
- Twain was introduced to leaders including abolitionists, socialists, atheists and political activits. In his life, Twain was very outspoken on issues such as slavery, racism and animal cruelty. He incorporated many of his liberal ideas into his writing.
- He loved cats and wanted them around him all the time.
- His views on religion were rather different from the views held during his youth when he was brought up as a Presbyterian.
- During the last years of his life, he was the vice-president of the American Anti-Imperialist League.
Mark Twain’s Death
- He was born right after Halley’s Comet appeared and the comet was scheduled to return in 1910. He told people in 1909,
“I came in with Halley’s Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it. It will be the greatest disappointment of my life if I don’t go out with Halley’s Comet.”
- As he predicted, he died on April 21, 1910, of a heart attack, the day after Halley’s Comet made its closest pass. He was 74 years old.
Trivia
He was born in a year when Halley’s Comet appeared (1835), and died the year the comet returned (1910).
Pictured on the 10¢ US postage stamp (as Samuel L. Clemens) in the Famous American/Authors series, issued 13 February 1940.
Character Tom Sawyer was honored by an 8¢ US commemorative postage stamp in the American Folklore series, issued 13 October 1972.
Great-uncle of writer Jean Webster.
Was the first person to write a novel entirely on a typewriter (“Huckleberry Finn”).
Only one of his four children, Clara Clemens (1874-1962), survived him. His other children: Jean (1880-1909), Susy (1872-1896) and Langdon (1870-1872).
Failed to graduate from elementary school.
Great-great-great-uncle of Casper Van Dien and Sudi Van Dien, and great-great-great-great-uncle of Cappy Van Dien, Grace Van Dien, Maya Van Dien and Celeste Van Dien.
Suffered from bipolar disorder.
Although he was not monarchist or aristocratic, he was descended from nobility and, inclusively, from a bastard son of King Alexander II of Scotland.
Inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians in 1982 and the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame in 1998.
Was good friends with Serbian-American scientist Nikola Tesla.
Worked for the Territorial Enterprise newspaper from 1861 to 1864.
One of his favorite books was “The Count of Monte Cristo” in Alexandre Dumas.
When Twain proposed to Olivia Langdon, her father wanted to be sure of Twain’s good character. Since they had no friends in common, Twain offered the names of several friends that he had made out west. Langdon wrote to ask them what they thought of the match. All of the people wrote back condemning Twain as a louse and a freeloader; two predicted that he would fill a drunkard’s grave. Twain bitterly remarked that apparently he didn’t have any friends. “Then I’ll be your friend myself,” Langdon said. “Take the girl. I know you better than they do.” Langdon was right, for Twain proved to be a faithful and loving husband to Olivia.
He actually had red hair, which of course does not show up in black and white photographs.
Upon hearing of his death, President William Howard Taft said, “Mark Twain gave pleasure – real intellectual enjoyment – to millions, and his works will continue to give such pleasure to millions yet to come… His humor was American, but he was nearly as much appreciated by Englishmen and people of other countries as by his own countrymen. He has made an enduring part of American literature.”.
Once lived in a cabin on a spot of land called Jackass Hill.
A complete bibliography of his works is virtually impossible because he was published far and wide, often in obscure newspapers. New examples of his writing have been discovered as recently as 1995.
A friend once told him that he was going to go the Holy Land, climb Mount Sinai, and recite the Ten Commandments. Twain said, “I’ve got a better idea. Stay at home, and obey them.”.
Loved to speculate with his money, but almost always unfortunately. This led to his filing for bankruptcy in 1894.
His short novel, “Adam’s Diary”, was published at the beginning of his career. Its companion novel, “Diary of Eve”, was written near the end of his life. The differences between the two are striking, especially in the maturation of his style.
Pictured on a nondenominated (‘forever’) USA commemorative postage stamp in the Literary Arts series, issued 25 June 2011. Price on day of issue was 44¢.
Inducted into the International Mustache Hall of Fame in 2015 (inaugural class) in the category Historical Figure.
Following his death, he was interred in his wife’s family plot at Woodland Cemetery in Elmira, New York. An asteroid discovered on September 24, 1976 has been named 2632 Mark Twain in his honor.
Personal Quotes
I have been told that Wagner’s [Richard Wagner] music is better than it sounds.
[his definition of a “classic”] Something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read.
Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to.
The English are mentioned in the Bible: Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.
As to the adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.
The report of my death was an exaggeration.
I can live for two months on a good compliment.
Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.
Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed.
All you need is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure.
The holy passion of friendship is of so sweet and steady and loyal and enduring a nature that it will last through a whole lifetime, if not asked to lend money.
Love seems the swiftest, but it is the slowest of all growths.
No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century.
Everyone is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.
It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.
When in doubt, tell the truth.
Always do right. That will gratify some of the people, and astonish the rest.
Of all the animals, man is the only one that is cruel. He is the only one that inflicts pain for the pleasure of doing it.
The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them.
Where prejudice exists it always discolors our thoughts.
I have been an author for 20 years and an ass for 55.
An author values a compliment even when it comes from a source of doubtful competency.
Comedy keeps the heart sweet.
Fleas can be taught nearly anything that a Congressman can.
Whatever you say, say it with conviction.
I learned long ago never to say the obvious thing, but leave the obvious thing to commonplace and inexperienced people to say.
I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.
Education consists mainly in what we have unlearned.
It is by the goodness of God that in our country, we have those three unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and the prudence never to practice either of them.
Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.
There are two times in a man’s life when he should not speculate: when he can’t afford it, and when he can.
The proper office of a friend is to side with you when you are in the wrong. Nearly anybody will side with you when you are in the right.
The man who is ostentatious of his modesty is twin to the statue that wears a fig-leaf.
Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
If you always do what you always did, you’ll always get what you always got.
I am not “an” American, I am “the” American.
I love to revel in philosophical matters–especially astronomy. I study astronomy more than any other foolishness there is.
When the world ends, I would like to be in Cincinnati, because it’s always 20 years behind the times.
America is built on a tilt, so anything loose slides to California.
History doesn’t always repeat itself. Sometimes it rhymes.
Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it’s time to pause and reflect.
Golf is a good walk spoiled.
You can tell German wine from vinegar by the label.
October is one of those dangerous months to speculate in stocks. The others are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, November and December.
Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.
Good breeding consists in concealing how much we think of ourselves and how little we think of other persons.
France has neither winter nor summer nor morals. France has usually been governed by prostitutes. Apart from these drawbacks, it is a fine country.
If we were meant to talk more than listen, we would have two mouths and one ear.
The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.
Grief can take care of itself; but to get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with.
[on babies] A soiled baby with a neglected nose cannot consciously be regarded as a thing of beauty.
[on babies] Adam and Eve had many advantages, but the principal one was that they escaped teething.
[on adaptability] If you don’t like the weather in New Engalnd, just wait a few minutes.
[on children] When a teacher calls a boy by his entire name, it means trouble.
[on experience] We should be careful to get out of an experience only the wisdom that is in it–and stop there; lest we be like the cat that sits down on a hot-stove lid. She will never sit down on a hot stove-lid again–and that is well; but also she will never sit down on a cold one anymore.
[on fact] Get your facts first; then you can distort ’em as you please.
To be busy is man’s only happiness.
It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them.
Training is everything. The peach was a once a bitter almond; cauliflower is but a cabbage with a college education.
Let us be grateful to Adam, our benefactor. He cut us out of the “blessing” of idleness and won for us the “curse” of labor.
If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.
Wrinkles should merely indicate where the smiles have been.
It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.
Most people are bothered by those passages in Scripture which they cannot understand, but as for me I always noticed that the passages in Scripture which trouble me are those which I do understand.
When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to twenty-one, I was astonished by how much he’d learned in seven years.
Religion began when the first con-artist met the first fool.
If you would be good, you will be lonely.
Even a bargain costs money.
All that is necessary is ignorance and confidence, then success is guaranteed.
Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason.
When I get to the other side I shall use my influence to have the Human Race drowned again, but this time drowned good. No exceptions, no Ark.
Beware of reading Health Books, you may die of a misprint.
When one finds oneself on the side of the Majority it is time to pause and reflect.
Give a man a reputation as an early riser, and that man can sleep till noon.
The common eye sees only the outside of things, and judges by that, but the seeing eye pierces through and reads the heart and the soul, finding there capacities which the outside didn’t indicate or promise, and which the other kind couldn’t detect.
Its name is Public Opinion. It is held in reverence. It settles everything. Some think it is the voice of God
Don’t part with your illusions. When they are gone, you may still exist, but you have ceased to live
What a man wants with religion in these breadless times, surpasses my comprehension
I always did hate for anyone to know what my plans or hopes or prospects were-for, if I kept people in ignorance in these matters, no one could be disappointed but myself, if they were not realized.”-
We chase phantoms half the days of our lives. It is well if we learn wisdom even then, and save the other half
Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising
The World owes you nothing, it was here first.
Sanity and happiness are an impossible combination.
You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.
Not reading gives you no advantage over people who don’t read.
It is easier to fool people than it is to convince them that they have been fooled.
When I was young, I could remember anything whether it happened or not; but my faculties are decaying now, and soon I shall be so I cannot remember any but the latter. It is sad to go to pieces like this, but we all have to do it.
There’s nothing worse than a young pessimist. Except an Old Optimist.
One can not succeed merely by being stupid, one must be well-mannered as well.
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness
