Mark Twain

Mark Twain was one of America's greatest writers. His real name was Samuel Clemens. He was born in Florida, Missouri, in 1835. He is best known for his novels about life along the Mississippi River.

Early Life

Twain grew up in Hannibal, Missouri, on the Mississippi River. He left school at age 11 after his father died. He worked as a printer, a riverboat pilot, and a miner. He started writing humorous stories and took the pen name Mark Twain.

A young Mark Twain at age fifteen, holding a printing tool.
A young Mark Twain at age fifteen, holding a printing tool. (Mark_Twain_by_GH_Jones,_1850.jpg: G.H.[?] Jones [or Jonco?] / Hannibal Mo derivative work: Smalljim (talk) / Wikimedia Commons)

Big Achievements

Twain wrote The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. His books captured American life with humor and honesty. He became one of the most famous people in America. He used his writing to criticize injustice and hypocrisy.

Fun Facts

  • The name Mark Twain comes from a riverboat term meaning two fathoms deep.
  • He was born when Halley's Comet appeared and died when it returned 75 years later.
  • He was friends with inventor Nikola Tesla.

Did You Know?

Twain is called the father of American literature. Author Ernest Hemingway said all modern American literature comes from one book, Huckleberry Finn.