Mark Twain, born in 1835, was an American writer and humorist known as “the father of American literature”. He published 28 books and trademarked his name. His first book, The Innocents Abroad, was a bestseller. He married Olivia Langdon and had four children. Twain died in 1910 and is buried in Elmira, New York. His work remains important in American literature and is celebrated at the Mark Twain Museum and Calaveras County Fair’s Jumping Frog Jubilee.
Mark Twain was the pseudonym of American writer and humorist Samuel Langhorne Clemens. Born November 30, 1835, he is often referred to as “the father of American literature”. He published 28 books, as well as numerous short stories, during his long and prosperous career. Mark Twain is also the first writer to trademark his name and incorporate as a business venture.
Twain left school at age 13, shortly after his father’s death from pneumonia. He began working as a printer’s apprentice, later joining his brother’s newspaper as an editorial assistant and reporter. This hands-on experience is credited with helping him develop his distinctive writing style.
Mark Twain began to gain public recognition for his humorous writing when his short story, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” was published in the New York Saturday Press in 1865. This gave him the impetus he needed to enable his first book, The Innocents Abroad, coming out in 1869. Based on his travels in Europe, The Innocents Abroad quickly became a bestseller that allowed Twain to enjoy a level of financial success never before heard for a writer.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer was published in 1876, followed by The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in 1885. Despite being Twain’s best-known novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is often criticized as racist by those who object to the dialogue that he included to add “local color” to the story. Indeed, according to the American Library Association, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has earned the dubious honor of being the fifth most censored book in the United States.
Mark Twain married Olivia Langdon in 1870. The couple had four children: Langdon Clemens, Susy Clemens, Clara Clemens and Jean Clemens. Unfortunately, because three of his sons died young, there are no direct descendants alive today.
Mark Twain died on April 21, 1910 of angina pectoris. As America’s first literary celebrity, his death made the front page of newspapers in the United States. His fans had the chance to pay their respects in New York City before his body was interred next to his wife and children in Elmira, New York.
Today, Twain’s work continues to remain an important part of the American literary landscape. Fans of his writings often flock to the Mark Twain Museum in Hannibal, MO and the Calaveras County Fair’s Jumping Frog Jubilee in Angels Camp, California.
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