A Great American Author “Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” -Twain

Born on August 11, 1835 in Florida, Missouri. His full name is Samuel Langhorne Clemens He was the 6 th of 7 children, only 3 survived childhood. Moved to Hannibal, Missouri at the age of 4. Hannibal would be the town that becomes St. Petersburg in many of his novels.

His father died of pneumonia at age 11. At age 12 he quit school to begin working as a printer for a newspaper. At 21, he decided to pursue a career as a riverboat pilot. It took him two years of study to earn his pilot license. He then persuaded his brother, Henry to work on a boat. The boat exploded and Henry was killed. This did not steer him away from working on the River Boat.

During the Civil War the traffic on the Mississippi closed. Twain then went West to Nevada. He was a travel companion to the Governor of Nevada and was able to see much of the West. He then became a gold minor in San Francisco.

1865: “The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.” A tall tale Instant international celebrity Known as great humorist

1869: The Innocents Abroad Successful book Humor Travel and Adventure 1872: Roughing It Use of mining experiences Travel and Adventure

1876: After 11 years of wonderful success he published Tom Sawyer. He based this work heavily on his childhood. Also blended characteristics of him and his two best friends.

1883 Build upon his own life experiences living along the Mississippi. American Expansion

1884 Originally titled Huckleberry Finn’s Autobiography Considered his “Masterpiece” Inspired by one of his best friends Tom Blankeship Controversial An offshoot of Tom Sawyer, Twain uses vivid imagery, and children being in the middle of adult situations His writing and method of story telling was way ahead of its time.

Huck Finn is one of the first novels to use social commentary by the characters to show hypocrisy of American society. Government issues are addressed along with alcoholism, abuse, and violence. The biggest conflicting societal value was slavery

Huck Finn has been read in classrooms for many years. However, the use of the word “Nigger” many school districts and librarians have made it the most banned book in history. Critics state, “defames African Americans by not only the use of the word, but how Jim is portrayed” -which is as an uneducated slave. However, this was the common term used for African- Americans in Missouri at that time. Captured the authenticity of that particular time and that particular place (Local Color)

Twain was against slavery (Abolitionist) Huck Finn, represents his view through the character of Jim and his struggles. As we read and discuss, Jim will be the only honest and good character from beginning to end. Writing the Book Took 7 Years to finish –took time off after starting Takes a distinctive turn from humorous to serious

Married to Olivia Langdon for 34 years until her death in 1904 of heart failure. He had three daughters and loved his later life in Connecticut He was extremely involved in the sciences and technology. Declared bankruptcy because of the many trial and errors of his own inventions, especially the typesetting machine that never took flight.

Mark Twain our greatest American author and man not afraid to speak his mind passed away on April 21, 1910, in Redding, Connecticut from a heart attack. His legacy lives on over 100 years later. Explore. Dream. Discover.