Mark Twain's Life
Taylor Shipley Per. 2
Birth
- Mark Twain was born on Nov. 30 1835 in Florida Missouri.
- He was the sixth child of John Marshall and Jane Lampton Clemens.
- Mark Twain was born prematurely.
- He is the youngest of all his siblings.
- Mark Twain real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens.
Early Childhood
- In 1844 Samuel’s father built a two story frame house on 206 Hill street in Hannibal.
- When he turned nine he attended a private school.
- Samuel’s father worked as a Judge. When he was twelve his father died of pneumonia.
- Only four of the six Clemens kids lived past 20.
- The town where Mark grew up only had about 1000 people in it (Hannibal).
Education
- When he turned nine he attended a private school.
- Even though he didn't go to school as a child for very long, he knew that no matter where he went in life, he could still educate himself by life experiences and by reading at the library during the evening.
- He quit school when his father died and became a printer's apprentice.
- He traveled to many different cities as a journalist and had many experiences.
- He learned from being a journalist that he loved writing and began writing his many works.
Career
- At thirteen he left to become a printer's apprentice.
- After two years he joined his brother’s newspaper business.
- Twain began to gain fame when his story, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calavaras County" appeared in the New York Saturday Press on November 18, 1865.
- He wrote 28 books and short stories, letters and sketches.
- Twain's first book, "The Innocents Abroad," was published in 1869.
Hobbies/Interests
- He loved writing.
- He liked entertaining young girls.
- He loved telling jokes and making people laugh.
- Public speaking on issues like slavery, animal cruelty and racism.
- He loved cats.
Other
- Two weeks before Mark was born Halley's Comet streaked through the sky.
- His stage name comes from his days as a river pilot. Mark Twain means 12 feet deep. If you say Mark Twain it means safe to navigate.
- In 1870 Clemens married Olivia Langdon, and they had four children, one of whom died as a baby and two who died in their twenties.
- Mark Twain passed away on April 21, 1910.
- There are no direct descendants of Samuel Clemens living.