Early Life
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was born on November 30, 1835 in Florida, Missouri. Mark Twain was the sixth of seven children born to John and Jane Clemens. His family moved to Hannibal, Missouri when he was four, where he grew up with a front-row seat to the history that would later inspire some of his most famous works. At 12 years old he was taken out of school to become an apprentice for a printer and quickly developed a love of writing.
Impressed by the richness of his storytelling, in 1851 Twain published his first article. But his real breakthrough came three years later in 1864, with the publication of his first full-length novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
Rise to Fame
Its success brought Twain critical acclaim and financial stability, and ushered in a successful writing career. Two years later, he published The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, widely praised as one of the great American novels.
Twain wrote many adventure stories and novels – some of which were set in years gone by and some that followed modern conventions. From a humorous story about a frog in The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, to a time-travelling escapade in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, there was something in Twain for everyone.
Mark Twain became one of the most beloved American authors of his time and his work continues to be enjoyed by readers today. His witty and astute observations, combined with his depictions of old Americana and the adventures of his memorable characters, left an ever-lasting legacy that continues to live on.
Advocacy and Activism
Mark Twain was not only deeply interested in literature and writing, he was also outspoken on various social issues, including politics and human rights. Throughout his life, Twain was deeply committed to social justice and civil rights, actively campaigning and speaking out against the numerous injustices that he saw in the world.
In the later years of his life, Twain travelled the world extensively, writing and lecturing about his experiences as well as opining on a number of issues, including education, politics and war. He made frequent trips to Europe, India and Africa, and took a keen interest in world affairs.
Twain was no stranger to controversial stances. In 1906, he famously wrote an article criticising the American patent system that had recently been implemented, and went on to publish the controversial The Mysterious Stranger in 1916. The novel dealt with themes of religion and was mostly met with outrage.
Throughout his life, Twain used his writing to draw attention to the world’s injustice, and remained a very opinionated and outspoken figure.
Later Life & Legacy
After a long and distinguished career, Twain passed away on April 21, 1910 in Redding, Connecticut. His funeral was attended by a host of notable figures, and in the subsequent weeks, he was posthumously awarded honorary degrees from Oxford and Yale.
Twain is widely considered to be one of the greatest American authors of all time, and his work continues to influence contemporary literature. His works have been adapted across various mediums, from films to musicals.
In honour of his legacy, UNESCO proclaimed Mark Twain’s birthday as the World Read-Aloud Day. Every year on November 30th, millions of children and adults come together to celebrate the loving power of reading aloud.
Writing Style
Twain had a knack for creating characters that felt alive to the reader. He wrote with such authenticity that the reader was able to suspend disbelief and witness Twain’s stories as real. Twain’s down-home, folksy manner of writing and speaking tapped into an all-American sensibility and appealed to readers both in his time and long after.
Twain placed great emphasis on dialect, creating unique voices for each of his characters. His writing style reflected that of the time he grew up in – during the decades before the Civil War – and he captures the figure of the self-made man that still influences the nation’s mythology today.
Crucially, Twain had a way of making his readers laugh. He was a master of satire, which can be seen in much of his work. His writing was acerbic and caustic and he often used humour to convey his criticism of certain aspects of society.
Destinations that inspired Twain
Mark Twain spent his formative years in Hannibal, Missouri, the hometown that would later become the model for the fictional town of St. Petersburg in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Many of the locations in Hannibal are said to have inspired some of Twain’s most beloved literature.
The Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum – located where the author lived in Hannibal – pays homage to the famous writer. The small museum allows visitors to retrace Twain’s footsteps in the town and explore his world-renowned works and childhood experiences.
Hannibal also boasts the Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse. Built by the citizens of the town in memory of the beloved author, it stands tall on the banks of the Mississippi River and is a reminder of the first few chapters of Twain’s life.
Twain’s later travels to Europe, India and Africa also informed his writing, giving him a broader perspective on the world and revealing itself in his stories of adventure and exploration.
Relationship with Slavery
Mark Twain’s relationship with the institution of slavery is complex. Some of his works, such as Innocents Abroad, reflected his anti-slavery beliefs. In this book, Twain denounced Southern slave-holders and depicted the stories of African-Americans in a sympathetic light.
However, it is important to note that in some of his works, Twain depicted racial stereotypes that were common in his time. In particular, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is an often controversial work that reflects some of the racial prejudice of the time.
Though it is complicated, Twain’s overall view on slavery evolved throughout his life. Initially, he was content to accept the status quo and go along with society’s views on the issue, but over time he became a staunch campaigner for civil rights.
Twain the Icon
Mark Twain is often thought of as an archetype of the quintessential American writer. His stories captured the struggles of small-town life and the spirit of adventure, and remain some of the most popular stories today. His works continue to be adapted to film, theatre and television.
Since his death, Mark Twain has become an iconic figure in popular culture. In 2010, Walt Disney World unveiled a life-size bronze statue of the author and his famous characters, and in 2015 a postage stamp was issued featuring a portrait of Twain with his famous phrase “The report of my death was an exaggeration”.
From the stage name to the statues, Mark Twain will forever be remembered as the great American author.
