Mark Twain, born Samuel Clemens in 1835, is one of America's most famous and beloved authors. He grew up in Hannibal, Missouri, a town on the Mississippi River that later became the setting for his greatest novels. His pen name, "Mark Twain," comes from a riverboat term.
Before becoming a writer, Twain had many jobs, including as a printer, a riverboat pilot, and a miner. These adventures gave him a deep understanding of American life and characters. He first found fame with his humorous short story, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County."
His two masterpieces, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884), changed American literature. Through humor and thrilling adventure, they tackled serious themes like freedom, morality, and the injustices of racism. Huck Finn's journey down the river with Jim, a man escaping slavery, is considered one of the most important stories ever written about America.
Twain was also a popular lecturer, known for his sharp wit and memorable quotes. Though he faced personal tragedies and financial troubles later in life, his work never lost its humor or humanity. He died in 1910, remembered as the great storyteller who captured the voice and spirit of a growing nation.
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