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Date of Birth
Samuel L. Clemens, was born in Florida, Missouri, on November 30, 1835. His parents were Judge John Marshall and Jane Lampton Clemens. Interestingly enough, Halley's comet was passing through the sky during the time of his birth. -
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Hannibal, Missouri and Boyhood Home
Samuel and his family move to Hannibal, Missouri, in 1839* where his father takes up work at the general store. During this time the family moves into what's known as Samuel's Boyhood Home, but due to unfortunate circumstances they are forced to move out and live above the Dr. Grant's Drug Store with Dr. Grant's family, until March 24, 1847 *(exact start date unknown)
*(exact start date is unknown) -
Father's Death
Samuel's father, Judge John Marshall, dies of pnuemonia. -
Working for Orion's Newspaper
*Orion, Samuel's older brother, purchased the Western Union newpaper and hired Samuel to work for him. While Orion was away, Sam would edit the newspaper himself, and often subitted sketches to the Saturday Evening Post and others for no pay. *(exact dates unknown) -
Working as a Journeyman
Sam leaves Hannibal and begins his work as a journeyman printer in St. Louis, New York, and Philidelphia. Sam's family moves to Iowa. -
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Working as a Journeyman Printer
During this long period of time*, Sam works as a journeyman printer in St. Louis, New York, and Philidelphia. During the summer of 1854 and the spring of 1855, he visited Orion and briefly worked for him. In 1856, he worked as an printing assisstant in Cincinnati, Ohio. *(exact dates are unknown) -
Apprentive River Pilot on Paul Jones
Starting in April of 1857, Sam began his apprenticeship under Captain Horace Bixby on the Paul Jones steam boat. -
Pen Name
During his time* as a reporter aboard the Enterpise in Virginia City, Nevada, Samuel debuted his first use of his pen name of Mark Twain. *(exact dates are unknown) -
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Work and Travels on the Pacific West Coast
In May of 1864, Twain left for California and began working for the San Francisco Call newspaper. During his time* of the west coast, Twain embarked on many adventures (one being to Hawaii and Jackass Hill). The events that transpired at Jackass Hill inspired Twain's literary work: The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calavera County. *(exact dates are unknown) -
Marriage
Mark Twain marries Olivia Langdon in Elmira. Unfortunately, soon after, their first son, Langdon (born November 7), dies during infancy (1872). -
Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Mark Twain's famous literary work of fiction, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, is published in 1876*. *(exact dates are unknown) -
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Travels in Europe
During the years of 1878-79*, Twain and his family travel around Europe. Heidleberg, Alps, Italy, and Munich are among the places they visited. *(exact dates are unknown) -
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Another of Twain's famous works, The Adventures of Huck Finn, was published during the year of 1885*. *(exact dates are unknown) -
Master of Arts Degree
In 1888, Mark Twain receives his Master of Arts Degree from Yale Uniersity. -
Mother's Death
During 1890*, Twain visits his ailing mother in Keokuk, Iowa, up until her death. During that same year, Twain attends her funeral held in Hannibal, Missouri. *(exact dates are unknown) -
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More Travels in Europe
During the year of 1891-95*, Mark Twain and his family travel to Euroupe again; this time visiting Germany, France, and Italy. *(exact dates are unknown) -
Honorary Doctorates Degree
Mark Twain receives his Honorary Doctorates Degree at Yale University, in 1901*. *(exact dates are unknown) -
Wife's Death
On June 5, 1904, in Florence, Italy, Olivia Langdon Clemens (Twain's wife), dies of heart failure. Her resting place resides in Elmira, New York. Shortly after, Twain returns to Brownstone, New York. -
Oxford University
In 1907*, Twain travels to England to receive his Honorary Doctorates Degree from Oxford University. *(exact dates are unknown) -
Mark Twain's Death
Due to various worsening health and heart conditions, Mark Twain died on April 21, 1910 (age 74), in (Stormfield) Redding, Conneticut. He was buried with his wife, on her family's plot in Elmira, New York. Coincidentally, Halley's Comet was back in the skies at the time of his death.
