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Samuel Clemens is Born
Samuel Langhorne Clemens was born in Florida, Missouri as the sixth child of John Marshall and Jane Lampton Clemens. -
Clemens Family Moves to Hannibal, MO
Samuel Clemens grew up in the small town of Hannibal, Missouri. Many of his later stories were inspired by his his early years spent playing along the Mississippi River. -
Samuel Clemens Begins Working
Samuel Clemens left school after his father died when he was 12. He began working as a printer's apprentice at the Missouri Courier newspaper. He later joined his brother as an editor at the Western Union newspaper. -
First Uses the Pen Name Mark Twain
Samuel Clemens first used his pen name, Mark Twain, in a writing published in "Enterprise". The name came from his river piloting experience. "Mark twain" means that the river is two fathoms deep and it is safe for a boat to navigate. -
Mark Twain Gains Fame
After his story "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" was published, Mark Twain began gaining popularity. Soon after, Clemens started working for the Sacramento "Union". -
Twain Publishes His First Book
Clemens' first book, "The Innocents Abroad" was published in 1869. -
Samuel Clemens Marries Olivia Langdon
Samuel Clemens and Olivia Langdon married and had four children together. Their only son, however, died as a toddler. -
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is Published
One of Mark Twain's most well-known books, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer", was published in 1876. -
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is Published
The companion book of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" was published in 1885. It was the first book that Clemens published at his own company. -
Samuel Clemens Passes Away
At the age of 74, Samuel Clemens passed away. He was buried in Elmira, New York with his wife Olivia Langdon.
