Mark Twain was an American author from the 1800s who wrote books like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He was a beloved author whose works changed the way Americans wrote about themselves, and he remains an influential figure in literature and popular culture today. But many people might not know that Twain also had grandchildren.
Twain and his wife Olivia had four children – Susy, Clara, and Olivia Susan, who was born after Twain’s death. All four children went on to have families of their own. Susy and Clara each had two children, while Olivia Susan had four. That means that Twain had a total of eight grandchildren – seven of them living.
Twain’s daughter, Susy, married psychiatrist Charles E. Langdon, who had a daughter and son. His daughter Clara married Ossip Gabrilowitsch, a concert pianist who had one daughter and one son. His daughter Olivia Susan married Ralph Ashcroft and together, the Ashcrofts had four children. Twain also had numerous great-grandchildren.
Twain’s granddaughters, Clara Clemens Gabrilowitsch and Nina Gabrilowitsch, were both born while he was still alive. In fact, Nina was born just months before Twain passed away in 1910. He was able to get to know, and be a part of the lives of his grandchildren, which is something we know he valued.
Twain was known to be a kind, loving grandfather, especially to those grandchildren who shared his passion for storytelling and writing. One of his granddaughters, Clara Gabrilowitsch, was inspired by him and wrote several plays and books, including Mark Twain’s United States and Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer Abroad. She clearly shared her grandfather’s gift for storytelling and wit.
Twain’s legacy is still alive today. His grandchildren carry on his legacy by writing books and speaking about his legacy. They often give lectures and write about their memories of spending time with Twain and how he has influenced and positively affected their lives. They also honor his memory in various ways, such as by writing college papers and books about him.
Twain’s grandchildren have also worked to preserve his legacy. Clara Gabrilowitsch, for instance, kept much of Twain’s personal correspondence, including letters to and from his deceased wife Olivia and other members of his family. She even organized a collection of her grandfather’s works, which was donated to the University of California, Berkeley.
His grandchildren even established the Mark Twain Organization in 1997, which serves as a legacy and educational resource. Their mission is to promote Twain’s legacy, influence, and humor. They have preserved some of his most important works and written reviews of his works, providing society with a better understanding of Twain and his writings.
Clara Clemens
Clara Clemens was one of Twain’s grandchildren and the daughter of Susy Clemens. She was born in May of 1874, four years before Twain published his most famous work, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. She is remembered for being a talented performer and singer whose unconventional style delighted Twain’s friends and family.
As Twain began to get more famous and people found out that he had a granddaughter, Clemens became a celebrity in her own right. She made a name for herself as a musician and singer, performing concerts across the country beginning in late 1891 and continuing until 1902.
Clemens also followed in her grandfather’s footsteps and wrote books and plays. She wrote plays like Idle Wives and Ruth Hill, which she dedicated to Twain. She also wrote books such as Mark Twain’s United States, which includes poems and short stories written by Twain.
Perhaps most importantly, Clemens served as a sort of caretaker to Twain in his later years, often being his companion on his travels and writing letters to him. She was known for her unwavering devotion to her grandfather and for the happy memories she created with him.
Olivia Susan Ashcroft
Twain’s third daughter and the last of his living children, Olivia Susan, was born a year after her father passed away. She was raised by her mother Olivia, who passed away when Olivia Susan was only 16.
Olivia Susan was known for her intelligence and beauty. She was an incredibly talented and accomplished woman, having graduated from Stanford in 1908 and becoming a historian and genealogist.
Twain’s granddaughters remember her fondly, recalling stories of her teaching them the piano, reading to them, and taking them on trips. She was remembered for her upbeat spirit and her enthusiasm for learning new things.
In 1920, Olivia Susan married Ralph Ashcroft, and the couple had four children: Elizabeth, Diana, Lydia, and Calvin. Elizabeth and Diana became successful doctors, while Lydia and Calvin carved out careers in business.
The Ashcroft family traveled often and lived in Europe for some time. They often used their time abroad to explore Twain’s writings, going on trips to areas mentioned in his works.
They also compiled a book called Mark Twain at Home, which features personal stories from Twain’s family and friends about the author. The book was published in 1952 and was praised for its depth and insight into Twain’s life.
Charles E. Langdon
Charles E. Langdon was the husband of Twain’s oldest daughter, Susy. He was a Harvard-educated psychiatrist who was described by Twain as being very smart and a good listener.
The two were married in 1883 and had two children, Susy Clara and Langdon Clemens. Langdon Clemens, who was also known as “Langdon,” was Twain’s only grandson, and he was named after his father.
Langdon was close to his grandmother Olivia and was described as “devoted and loyal” to his grandfather. He lived with Twain and his mother Olivia towards the end of Twain’s life, offering him companionship in his declining years.
Langdon was also known for his witty sense of humor, which was said to rival that of his grandfather. He was said to have shared his grandfather’s talent for storytelling and would often regale Twain and his family with exciting stories.
Langdon eventually moved to California and settled in Santa Rosa. He was married and had four children: Charles, John, Brainard, and Virginia. He passed away in 1940 due to a heart attack.
Ossip Gabrilowitsch
Twain’s daughter Clara was married to Ossip Gabrilowitsch, a concert pianist known for his technique, charm, and wit. He was born in the Ukraine in 1878 and moved to the U.S. when he was five years old.
Gabrilowitsch eventually became the concertmaster of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, a position he held until his death in 1936. During this time, he and Clara had two children, Nina and Serge.
Twain was fond of Ossip and was very proud of his accomplishments. Twain also wrote that his granddaughters, Nina and Clara, both had “a great reverence” for their grandfather and were in awe of him.
Nina went on to become a pianist and composer and was said to have had a lot of her grandfather’s talent for storytelling and wit. She was also known for her strong work ethic, something she said was inspired by Twain.
Serge Gabrilowitsch became a conductor and musical director, eventually taking over his father’s position at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. He was also a producer, working on television shows and writing music for films.
Twain’s grandchildren have kept his legacy alive with their art, books, and lectures. They often speak fondly of their grandfather and commemorate his memory with their works.
Family Legacy
Twain’s family did their best to keep his legacy alive, even after his death in 1910. They preserved his works, spoke at conferences and lectures about him, and wrote about his life.
His granddaughters Clara and Nina managed to preserve many of his works and personal documents, giving us a better understanding of Twain and his life. They also helped to create the Mark Twain Organization, which serves as a historic and educational resource dedicated to preserving Twain’s legacy.
Several of Twain’s grandchildren also wrote books about their grandfather and the family. His granddaughter Olivia Langdon wrote Mark Twain at Home, which features personal memories from Twain’s family and friends about the author.
Twain’s granddaughters often talk about the importance of his work, remembering their grandfather as a leader, innovator, and mentor. They draw upon his life and writings to inspire and motivate themselves and others.
They also remember and talk about their fond memories of him, expressing their love and admiration for the man they knew as both a beloved grandfather and American icon. In doing so, they help to continue his legacy by spreading awareness of his life and works.
