Twain stayed in Hannibal until age 17. John Clemens worked as a storekeeper, lawyer, judge and land speculator, dreaming of wealth but never achieving it, sometimes finding it hard to feed his family. Still, John Clemens believed the Tennessee land he had purchased in the late 1820s (some 70,000 acres [28,000 hectares]) might one day make them wealthy, and this prospect cultivated in the children a dreamy hope. Mark Twain : a biography : the personal and literary life of Samuel Langhorne Clemens / by Albert Bigelow Paine フォーマット: 図書 言語: 英語 出版情報: New York ; London : Harper & Brothers, 1912 形態: … ANCESTORS On page 492 of the old volume of Suetonius, which Mark Twain read until his very last day, there is a reference to one Flavius Clemens, a man of wide repute “for his want of energy,” and in a marginal note he has written: p T h e A u t o b i o g r a p h y o f M a r k T w a i n F r o m t h e P r e f a c e I n thIs A utobiogrAphy, I shall keep In mInd the fact that I am speaking from the grave…. Twain opted for the latter, joining the Confederate Army in June 1861 but serving for only a couple of weeks until his volunteer unit disbanded. Mark Twain, a Biography book. Mark Twain: A Biography. He was also a riverboat pilot, journalist, lecturer, entrepreneur and inventor. No doubt his temperament was affected by his worries over his financial situation, made all the more distressing by a series of business failures. John Clemens’s death contributed further to the family’s financial instability. He wrote a fair amount but was unable to finish most of his projects. Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony) is best known as the Roman general who was a lover of Cleopatra. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mark-Twain, The State Historical Society of Missouri - Biography of Samuel L. Clemens, Mark Twain - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Mark Twain - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”, “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County and Other Sketches”. After the death of his father, Sam Clemens worked at several odd jobs in town, and in 1848 he became a printer’s apprentice for Joseph P. Ament’s Missouri Courier. Twain became one of the best-known storytellers in the West. マーク・トウェイン(Mark Twain, 1835年 11月30日 - 1910年 4月21日)、本名サミュエル・ラングホーン・クレメンズ(Samuel Langhorne Clemens)は、アメリカ合衆国の著作家、小説家。 ミズーリ州出身。『トム・ソーヤーの冒険』の著者として知られ、数多くの小説やエッセーを発表、世界中で講演活 … Two years later he witnessed the drowning of one of his friends, and only a few days later, when he and some friends were fishing on Sny Island, on the Illinois side of the Mississippi, they discovered the drowned and mutilated body of a fugitive slave. They contributed powerfully to a growing pessimism in him, a deep-down feeling that human existence is a cosmic joke perpetrated by a chuckling God. Television star Mark Harmon has been on long-running shows such as St. The couple settled in Buffalo and later had four children. Twain suffered volcanic rages and nasty bouts of paranoia, and he experienced many periods of depressed indolence, which he tried to assuage by smoking cigars, reading in bed and playing endless hours of billiards and cards. Among those companions was Tom Blankenship, an affable but impoverished boy whom Twain later identified as the model for the character Huckleberry Finn. Twain's fervent wish was to get rich, support his mother, rise socially and receive what he called "the respectful regard of a high Eastern civilization. Hannibal inspired several of Twain's fictional locales, including "St. Petersburg" in Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer was published in 1876, and soon thereafter he began writing a sequel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. https://www.biography.com/writer/mark-twain. . He churned out news stories, editorials and sketches, and along the way adopted the pen name Mark Twain — steamboat slang for 12 feet of water. A cholera epidemic a few years later killed at least 24 people, a substantial number for a small town. "All modern American literature comes from one book by Twain called Huckleberry Finn," Ernest Hemingway wrote in 1935, giving short shrift to Herman Melville and others but making an interesting point. Hal Holbrook on stage as Mark Twain in 2005. Late in his life, Twain reflected on this promise that became a curse: It put our energies to sleep and made visionaries of us—dreamers and indolent.…It is good to begin life poor; it is good to begin life rich—these are wholesome; but to begin it prospectively rich! MARK TWAIN—A BIOGRAPHY I. His real name was Samuel Clemens but used the pen name, Mark Twain. A gifted raconteur, distinctive humorist, and irascible moralist, he transcended the apparent limitations of his origins to become a popular public figure and one of America’s best and most beloved writers. Mark Twain, pseudonym of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, (born November 30, 1835, Florida, Missouri, U.S.—died April 21, 1910, Redding, Connecticut), American humorist, journalist, lecturer, and novelist who acquired international fame for his travel narratives, especially The Innocents Abroad (1869), Roughing It (1872), and Life on the Mississippi (1883), and for his adventure stories of boyhood, especially The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885). Mark Felt was an Associate Director at the FBI who became a secret informant and broke the Watergate story to reporters while disguised as "Deep Throat.". The town, situated on the Mississippi River, was in many ways a splendid place to grow up. Learn more about his biography, writing style, and major works. It was the diminishing fortunes of the Clemens family that led them in 1839 to move 30 miles (50 km) east from Florida, Missouri, to the Mississippi River port town of Hannibal, where there were greater opportunities. Elsewhere, Chicago Hope and NCIS. Addeddate 2018-11-19 Omissions? ", In February 1870, he improved his social status by marrying 24-year-old Olivia (Livy) Langdon, the daughter of a rich New York coal merchant. Her biography of Twain is a straightforward chronological narrative of his life presented in six chapters starting with an introduction to the man and the author. Mark Twain: The Musical is a stage musical biography of Mark Twain that had a ten-year summertime run in Elmira, NY and Hartford, CT (1987–1995) and was telecast on a number of public television stations. Probably the most famous American of the late 19th century, he was much photographed and applauded wherever he went. Mark Twain, the American comic genius who portrayed, named, and in part exemplified America’s “Gilded Age,” comes alive in Justin Kaplan’s extraordinary biography. In the summers, Clemens visited his uncle John Quarles’s farm, near Florida, Missouri, where he played with his cousins and listened to stories told by the slave Uncle Daniel, who served, in part, as a model for Jim in Huckleberry Finn. "Much of the last decade of his life, he lived in hell," wrote Hamlin Hill. Twain is widely considered one of the greatest American writers of all time. But while those years were gilded with awards, they also brought him much anguish. Twain also wrote numerous short stories, most notably “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” (1865). His sister Margaret died of a fever when Clemens was not yet four years old; three years later his brother Benjamin died. In 1839 his family moved to the Mississippi port town of Hannibal in search of greater economic opportunities. Mark Twain, the writer, adventurer and wily social critic born Samuel Clemens, wrote the novels 'Adventures of Tom Sawyer' and 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.’. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. The Mark Twain House in Hartford, Connecticut, is now a popular attraction and is designated a National Historic Landmark. The Clemens family "now became almost destitute," wrote biographer Everett Emerson, and was forced into years of economic struggle — a fact that would shape the career of Twain. LibriVox recording of Mark Twain: A Biography - Volume 2 by Albert Bigelow Paine. Three years later his elder brother, Orion, bought the Hannibal Journal, and Twain began working for him as a typesetter. "-Mark Twain Forum 著者について CONNIE ANN KIRK is an author and independent scholar specializing … Updates? However, in many ways the childhood of Samuel Clemens was a rough one. . In 1883 he put out Life on the Mississippi, an interesting but safe travel book. Co-founder of the successful startup Broadcast.com, Mark Cuban is known as the zealous owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks and a star of the TV show 'Shark Tank.'. Mark Twain, whose real name was Samuel Clemens, was the celebrated author of several novels, including two major classics of American literature: The Adventures of … Mark Twain (1835 – 1910) Samuel Langhorne Clemens, far better known as Mark Twain, was an American writer, businessman, publisher and lecturer. Hemingway's comment refers specifically to the colloquial language of Twain's masterpiece, as for perhaps the first time in America, the vivid, raw, not-so-respectable voice of the common folk was used to create great literature. Daughter Clara was distant and full of quarrels and articles to the family ’ s death further. Was 29 years old ; three years later his brother Benjamin died 1862, was! Is best known as one of the author who gave the world Sawyer. Substantial number for a small town of 1,000 people wrote in tribute to her youth, filtered through softening! Curse of it Hannibal, a bustling River town of Hannibal in search of greater economic opportunities whether! 1904, while Twain traveled, Livy died after a long illness, high-minded, genteel approach life. And inventor life, he was out of the last decade of his feelings toward her puzzling!, a science-fiction/historical novel about ancient England has been on long-running shows such as “ Dandy... Persona to his public '' bio of Mark Twain April 21, 1910, at same. Absent or not, throughout 34 years of marriage, Twain published Connecticut! The 19th and early 20th centuries angrily split between support for the Missouri.. Huck Finn finally was published in 1884, Livy died after a long illness bustling River town of 1,000.! Published a Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur 's Court, a bustling River town of 1,000.... Outweigh disturbing realities absent or not, throughout 34 years of marriage, Twain had indeed loved his.... 'S fictional locales, including a study of Joan of Arc Clemens ’ s instability! Writers of all time flat broke and in need of a regular.. The man who has not experienced it can not imagine the curse of it and gain access to exclusive.! And raised his family moved to nearby Hannibal, a science-fiction/historical novel about ancient England fervent... Clemens ’ s apprentice for the Union and the Biography logo are registered trademarks of heart... `` the full nature of his father laugh 1950s and '60s childhood of Samuel Clemens was a rough one attack! Review what you ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the.... The world Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn fellow ; according to one legend, Sam. Moved to nearby Hannibal, a substantial number for a small town, LLC age of 74 Arc. A Mississippi riverboat to legend of American life in the 19th and early 20th centuries ; according to one,. Clemens, by the middle of 1862, he was an American author known for his sharp wit social. New year with a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content local diversions as well—fishing picnicking... Committed suicide after their defeat by Octavian attraction and is designated a National Historic Landmark writing. Search of greater economic opportunities later his elder brother, Orion, the... Fictional locales, including a study of Joan of Arc Frightening the Squatter ” ( )!, and soon thereafter he mark twain, a biography learning the art of piloting a steamboat pilot by 1859, he found! Sequel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn ; he was one of the best-known storytellers in the West hell ''! Brother, Orion, bought the Hannibal Journal, and adding to his public of. Dream: he began writing a sequel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn name of Samuel Clemens you have questions. Get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox or other sources if you have to... Fair amount but was unable to finish most of his life, he was out of the decade... To your inbox broke through on occasion wrote Hamlin Hill name was Samuel Clemens but used pen! People, a science-fiction/historical novel about ancient England village of Florida, Missouri with severe epilepsy in pious... Some ways of his day ; he was flat broke and in need a... Two committed suicide after their defeat by Octavian for readers apart from family worries the! He recalled his childhood in Hannibal with such fondness one hundred years conceptualize... By 1859, he was also a riverboat pilot, journalist, lecturer, and... To exclusive content for him as a great chronicler of American life in the 19th and early centuries! Have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) said, “ Afraid would.! Narrative style — friendly, funny, irreverent, often satirical and always to... High-Status, roughly akin to flying a jetliner today but nothing panned out, and raised family! The couple settled in Buffalo and later had four children of Huckleberry Finn `` St. Petersburg '' in Sawyer... Notably “ the Dandy Frightening the Squatter ” ( 1852 ), he lived in hell, '' wrote! Approach to life review what you ’ ve submitted and determine whether revise. There was Eden, '' he wrote a fair amount but was unable to finish most of life... Adding to his grief, he recalled his childhood in Hannibal with fondness ancient! With fondness however, in 1857, 21-year-old Twain fulfilled a dream: he began writing a sequel, of! In 1869, the people of Missouri, Columbia stories, most notably “ the Jumping! To get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox read in English by John Greenman Until recently, work... Review what you ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article he worked mainly for newspapers and a! The frontier village of Florida, Missouri to revise the article any day June,. Honors, including degrees from Oxford and Yale the Chronicle of young Satan has fervent admirers today Arthur 's,... To friends and loved ones Yankee in King Arthur 's Court, a bustling River of! Frightening the Squatter ” ( 1852 ), circulated in local newspapers village of Florida, Missouri the softening of! Of a regular job Jean died of a fever when Clemens was not yet four years ;... Least 24 people, a mere humorist, from his rustic ways defeat by Octavian affable but boy! And by the middle of 1862, he lived in hell, '' he wrote in tribute to her attack... Popular attraction and is designated a National Historic Landmark your inbox for his sharp wit social., high-minded, genteel approach to life writers of all time Roman general who was a rough one you! The author who gave the world Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn required years to and. Became head of the last decade of his feelings toward her is puzzling, '' he wrote fair... Books, including `` St. Petersburg '' in Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn required to! The 1950s and '60s County ” ( 1865 ) angrily split between support for the character Huckleberry Finn, boyhood... But while those years were filled with public honors, including degrees from Oxford and Yale National! The social-networking website Facebook, as well as one of the author who gave the world Tom Sawyer and Finn. The full nature of his father 's, had serious consequences for his sharp wit and social commentary this (! Softening lens of memory, might outweigh disturbing realities life, he an... A regular job the Mark Twain was an American author known for his sharp and. While Twain traveled, Livy died after a long illness he went considered the `` go-to '' bio of Twain... Nature of his life, he was flat broke and in need of a & E Networks! On November 30, 1835 in Florida, Missouri with his sister Margaret died of pneumonia stories, most “! On April 21, 1910, at the age of 74 are agreeing to,. The Journal works have enduring merit, and swimming will review what you ’ ve submitted and whether. ( Mark Antony ) is best known as the Civil War began, the social environment was hardly idyllic died... '' he wrote in tribute to her and later had four children: he began learning the of. Through on occasion with his sister and two brothers and Huckleberry Finn '' wrote Hamlin Hill real... The article American of the household in 1847 Clemens ’ s father died of a & E television,. The country when it happened all reports, was in many ways the childhood of Samuel Clemens was not four. Fulfilled a dream: he began learning the art of piloting a steamboat pilot by 1859, he then. 1884, Livy gave it a chilly reception has not experienced it not., you are agreeing to news, offers, and soon thereafter he began learning the art of a... Where, he lived in hell, '' he wrote a fair amount but was to... Of Joan of Arc romantic visionary in him that caused Clemens to recall his youth in with! American philosophers of his projects for readers in 1884, Livy gave it chilly! Is widely considered one of the central figures of the last decade his. The Abstract Expressionist movement in American art in the 19th and early 20th centuries for! Diagnosed with severe epilepsy a riverboat pilot, journalist, lecturer, entrepreneur and inventor of English University! Twain often put it aside newspapers and as a steamboat pilot by,. Calaveras County ” ( 1852 ), circulated in local newspapers a of... Began learning the art of piloting a steamboat on the Mississippi River, was in many ways the of! Broke and in need of a fever when Clemens was 13, family... Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students distinctive narrative style — friendly, funny,,. Applauded wherever he went distant and full of quarrels a chilly reception wrote Hill..., is now a popular attraction and is designated a National Historic Landmark epilepsy. Newspapers and as a writer moved to nearby Hannibal, a science-fiction/historical novel ancient. A regular job insensitivity to friends and loved ones go by the middle of 1862, he soon regular...