Mark Twain | Brief Biography
Mark Twain | Brief Biography
Mark Twain (born Samuel Langhorne Clemens) was an American writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer. He is best known for his works “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” He is widely regarded as one of the greatest American writers of all time.
Early Life and Education
Mark Twain was born on November 30, 1835, in Florida, Missouri. He was the sixth of seven children born to Jane Lampton and John Marshall Clemens. Twain’s father was a lawyer and judge, and his mother was a homemaker.
Twain grew up in Hannibal, Missouri, a town located along the Mississippi River, which would later provide the backdrop for many of his stories. He received a limited formal education, attending school for only a few years. However, he was an avid reader and taught himself about a wide range of subjects.
Career
Twain began his career as a printer’s apprentice and later worked as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River. He also worked as a miner, a prospector, and a reporter.
In 1865, Twain wrote his first successful story, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” which was published in the New York Saturday Press. This success marked the beginning of his writing career, and he went on to publish several other stories and essays in the years that followed.
In 1876, Twain published “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” which became an instant classic and was followed by “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” in 1884. These works, along with his other writing, established Twain as one of the most famous and well-loved writers of his time.
In addition to his writing, Twain was also an entrepreneur, investor, and lecturer. He invested in several businesses, including a typesetting machine and a publishing company, and he gave lectures around the country and abroad, earning him a substantial income.
Personal Life and Death
In 1870, Twain married Olivia Langdon, with whom he had four children. They lived in Hartford, Connecticut, for several years before moving to Europe.
Twain’s later years were marked by financial difficulties, as well as the deaths of his wife, his eldest daughter, and his brother. He died of a heart attack on April 21, 1910, at the age of 74.
Legacy
Mark Twain is widely regarded as one of the greatest American writers of all time. His works continue to be widely read and studied, and his influence on American literature is undeniable. He is remembered for his wit, his storytelling, and his ability to capture the spirit of his time. 0 0 0.
Sources:
“Mark Twain.” Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica.
“Mark Twain.” The Literary Encyclopedia.
“Mark Twain Biography.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 17 Apr. 2014.
“The Life and Works of Mark Twain.” Mark Twain Museum. ***
N.B. The article originally belongs to the book entitled ‘Biographies of Writers Around the World‘ by Menonim Menonimus.
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