Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910), better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American author and humorist.

In March 1847, when Twain was 11, his father died of pneumonia. The next year, Samuel became a printer's apprentice. In 1851, he began working as a typesetter and contributor of articles and humorous sketches for the Hannibal Journal, a newspaper owned by his brother Orion.

Twain’s first success as a writer came when his humorous tall tale, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," was published in a New York weekly, The Saturday Press, on November 18, It brought him national attention.

Cabin where Twain wrote "Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" Twain used different pen names before deciding on Mark Twain. He signed humorous and imaginative sketches Josh until Additionally, he used the pen name Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass for a series of humorous letters.

Mark Twain in his gown (scarlet with grey sleeves and facings) for his D.Litt. degree, awarded to him by Oxford University

A late life friendship for each, Mark Twain and Henry Rogers in 1908

Well-known Twain’s books

Upon hearing of Twain's death, President William Howard Taft said:"Mark Twain gave pleasure – real intellectual enjoyment – to millions, and his works will continue to give such pleasure to millions yet to come... His humor was American, but he was nearly as much appreciated by Englishmen and people of other countries as by his own countrymen. He has made an enduring part of American literature."

T wain statue at Finney County Public Library in Garden City, Kansas

Mark Twain’s signature