Mark Twain
(1835-1910)
writer and journalist
Died aged c. 75
Wikidata WikipediaSamuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910), known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer. He was praised as the "greatest humorist the United States has produced", and William Faulkner called him "the father of American literature". His novels include The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and its sequel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884), the latter of which has often been called the "Great American Novel". Twain also wrote A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1889) and Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894), and co-wrote The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today (1873) with Charles Dudley Warner. Twain was raised in Hannibal, Missouri, which later provided the setting for Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. He served an apprenticeship with a printer and then worked as a typesetter, contributing articles to the newspaper of his older brother Orion Clemens. He later became a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River before heading west to join Orion in Nevada. He referred humorously to his lack of success at mining, turning to journalism for the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise. His humorous story "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" was published in 1865, based on a story that he heard at Angels Hotel in Angels Camp, California, where he had spent some time as a miner. The short story brought international attention and was even translated into French. His wit and satire, in prose and in speech, earned praise from critics and peers, and he was a friend to presidents, artists, industrialists, and European royalty. Initially an ardent American imperialist who spoke out strongly in favor of American interests in the Hawaiian Islands, he later became vice-president of the American Anti-Imperialist League from 1901 until his death in 1910. Twain earned a great deal of money from his writings and lectures but invested in ventures that lost most of it—such as the Paige Compositor, a mechanical typesetter that failed because of its complexity and imprecision. He filed for bankruptcy in the wake of these financial setbacks, but in time overcame his financial troubles with the help of Standard Oil executive Henry Huttleston Rogers. He eventually paid all his creditors in full, even though his bankruptcy relieved him of having to do so. Twain was born shortly after an appearance of Halley's Comet, and he predicted that he would "go out with it" as well, dying the day after the comet made its closest approach to Earth.
DbPedia
Family tree
Commemorated on 6 plaques
Samuel L. Clemens, 'Mark Twain' 1835-1910 American writer lived here in 1896-7
23 Tedworth Square, London, United Kingdom where they lived
Mark Twain Bret Harte Trail Mark Twain Cabin Stopping place of packers carrying supplies to miners. Often 200 jackasses on hill over night furnishing concert suggesting name "Jackass Hill". Very coarse gold found here, $10,000 taken from 100 square feet of ground. Quartz found containing 3/4 of total weight in gold. Mark Twain, Steve, Jim, and Bill Gillis, and Dick Stoker, the "Dick Baker" in "Roughing It", were cronies. Mark wrote here "Jumping Frog of Calaveras" from notes made at Angels Camp Tavern.
Jackass Hill Road, Tuttletown, CA, United States where they wrote "Jumping Frog of Calaveras" here from notes made at Angels Camp Tavern
Kentucky Historical Marker #1724
Fourth Street. During Civil War, "Newspaper Row" stood in this area along Green (Liberty) St. On north side was pro-Union Journal; on south side, pro-southern Courier. Union Army Hq. was on west side of Fourth near Walnut. Macauley Theater opened in 1873 near Fourth and Walnut. It hosted Sarah Bernhardt in 1880. Mark Twain spoke in the area, 1885. Presented by the City of Louisville. (Reverse) A Civil War Compass - From Galleria, all compass points have Civil War personality ties. One block west, Abe Lincoln visited James Speed's law office (1841). One block east is Christ Church, whose rector, Rev. Ashe, married Jeff Davis and Sarah Knox Taylor (1835). One block south, U. S. Grant visited Henry Watterson (1879). One block north, John Wilkes Booth performed on stage (1864). Over.
Near north entry to the Galleria, Louisville, KY, United States where they spoke near
Nevada Historical Marker #28
Mark Twain. 100 years ago, in 1864, Samuel Clemens left the territorial enterprise, moving on to California and worldwide fame. He was a reporter here in 1863 when he first used the name, Mark Twain. He later described his colorful adventures in Nevada in “Roughing It.”
C Street, Virginia City, NV, United States where they worked
Nevada Historical Marker #78
Orion Clemens Home. Orion Clemens, secretary to territorial Governor James W. Nye, lived in this house with his wife, “Mollie,” from 1864 to 1866. Samuel, his brother who was a reporter for the Territorial Enterprise, stayed here periodically until leaving the territory in May 1864. He became famous as “Mark Twain.”
, Carson City, NV, United States where they stayed
Nevada Historical Marker #232
Reunion In Unionville. Across the road and down about 300 feet was the original Unionville School. Built in 1862, this adobe building was the first public structure in Humboldt County. Used by such organizations as the Union League, Knights of the Golden Circle, the Free Masons, and the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus, it served the community until its demolition in 1871.Exactly 109 years later, members of the E.C.V. gathered here to hold a reunion in commemoration of this propitious event. To the rear of this marker is the site where Samuel Clemens allegedly lived briefly before going to Virginia City in 1862 and taking the name Mark Twain.
Unionville Road, Imlay, NV, United States where they lived near