Early Life of Mark Twain
Mark Twain, referred to by his pen name, was born Samuel Clemens in the mid-19th century in the state of Missouri. At the age of four, Clemens’ family moved to Hannibal, Missouri, a small port city on the Mississippi River. As the sixth of seven children, Clemens was the sixth of seven children, with three older and three younger sisters. Clemens spent much of his childhood in Hannibal, living on and exploring the nearby Mississippi River. Although he had a tumultuous relationship with his father, Clemens had a close relationship with his siblings, providing a model for later characters in his novels from Twain’s youth.
Clemens’ older siblings were Margaret, Pamela, and Benjamin; his younger siblings were Henry, Susan, and Orion. While Mark Twain was the family’s most famous member, others went on to do interesting work. Orion was a newspaper editor, Benjamin was a lawyer, and Susan became an influential figure in the women’s suffrage movement.
Mark Twain’s Siblings
Mark Twain’s siblings, in birth order, are Margaret, Pamela, Benjamin, Samuel (Mark Twain), Henry, Susan, and Orion. Mark Twain was the fourth of seven children born to John and Jane Clemens in 1835. His oldest siblings were two sisters, Margaret and Pamela, followed by a brother, Benjamin, who was two and a half years older than Twain. His younger siblings were Henry, Susan, and Orion.
Twain’s oldest-sibling Margaret was born in 1827 and died in 1858 at the age of 31. Pamela was born in 1829 and died in 1867. Benjamin, Twain’s elder brother, was born in 1832 and died in 1894. Henry, Twain’s younger brother, was born in 1838 only two years after Twain and passed away in 1860 at the age of 22. Susan, Twain’s younger sister, was born in 1840 and passed away in 1904. Finally, Orion, Twain’s youngest sibling, was born in 1825 and passed away in 1897.
The Influence of Mark Twain’s Siblings
It is said that Mark Twain would not have been the same famous author, humorist, and raconteur had it not been for his brothers and sisters. Twain was always close to his siblings. He looked up to his older brother Benjamin and his sister Susan. Twain’s brother Benjamin was a lawyer which influenced Twain both professionally and personally. Twain’s brother Henry was a significant source of inspiration for some of Twain’s characters like Tom Sawyer.
Twain’s sister Susan was a strong supporter of the women’s movement and this influenced Twain’s views about female empowerment. His sister, Margaret, was the closest in age to Twain, only eight years older. She was not only a source of joviality, but also inspiring, as she worked hard to send him to school, as his father could not afford to do so. Twain also had a close bond with his youngest brother, Orion, and at the age of 15 he apprenticed with his brother in the newspaper business.
The Impact on Mark Twain’s Writing
The influence of Mark Twain’s siblings was far reaching and had a profound impact on Twain’s life and writing. His relationship with his siblings had a lasting effect on him and can be seen throughout his writing. Twain’s admiration of his siblings, especially Benjamin and Susan, that led him to become a protector of the downtrodden and to speak out and fight for social justice.
In addition to his strong relationship with his siblings, their individual achievements likely influenced his career path. For example, Twain’s brother Benjamin, who was a lawyer, likely encouraged Twain to pursue writing both professionally and personally. Additionally, Twain’s other siblings and the experiences they had in the public arena likely influenced how Twain perceived the public stage, and how he experienced the attention he received.
Mark Twain’s Siblings After His Death
After Mark Twain’s death in 1910, his siblings lived on, each carrying with them unique and powerful memories of their bond with their famous brother. Susan, who outlived Twain by four years, was among his most devoted siblings and took his death particularly hard. Before her passing in 1904, Susan enjoyed lasting fame as an activist, journalist, and suffragette. Benjamin and Orion outlived Twain as well, though both died in the mid-1890s.
Twain’s youngest brother Henry, unfortunately, did not live to see any of his brother’s success nor share in his legacy. Henry died tragically in 1860 at the young age of 22, leaving Twain with a lingering sadness that never really left him for the rest of his life.
Memorializing Mark Twain’s Siblings
The memory of Twain’s siblings has lived on through generations. In addition to becoming literary icons like Twain, many of Twain’s siblings are memorialized in other ways. In 1862, Twain’s older brother Benjamin joined the Confederate Army and was wounded during the Battle of Shiloh, leading the U.S. government to name his namesake in Hannibal, Missouri in his honor.
The house Twain grew up in is still present in Hannibal, as well as a marker denoting the notable residents. Mark Twain Cave, located in nearby Monroe County, Missouri, is named for his brother Orion, who ran a store nearby. Additionally, several of Twain’s characters are closely based on his brothers and sisters.
Conclusion
It is clear that Mark Twain was close to all his siblings, and the impact of their lives on his life and work was significant. Despite the tragic death of his younger brother, Henry, Twain was able to carry on his legacy and use the experiences of his siblings in his written works. There are lasting legacies of Twain’s siblings throughout the country, from rural Missouri to Washington D.C., that continue to honor the memory of his siblings and serve as lasting tributes of Twain’s family.
