Mark Twain, born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, was an American writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer. He was born on November 30, 1835, in Florida, Missouri, and died on April 21, 1910, in Redding, Connecticut. Twain is best known for his novels The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and its sequel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which are considered classics of American Literature.
Twain's pen name, "Mark Twain," is derived from the riverboat term meaning "two fathoms deep," which he used during his time as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River. His early life was marked by financial instability and frequent relocations, which shaped his perspective and writing style. After working as a printer's apprentice, he moved to New York City and then to Nevada during the Silver Rush, where he began his career as a writer.
His literary career took off with the publication of "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" in 1865. His travelogues, like The Innocents Abroad, provided humorous and insightful commentary on various cultures, gaining him international acclaim. Twain's writing often explored themes of race, identity, and the American Dream, using satire, realism, and vivid storytelling.
Twain married Olivia Langdon in 1870, and they had four children, though only one, Clara Clemens, survived him. His personal life was marred by tragedy, with the deaths of his wife and two of his daughters. These events deeply influenced his later works, which often reflected a more cynical and pessimistic view of life.
Mark Twain's influence on American literature and culture is profound. His works have been translated into numerous languages, and his humor and social commentary continue to resonate with contemporary audiences. His home in Hartford, Connecticut, now known as the Mark Twain House, is a museum dedicated to his life and works.