440px mark twain brady handy photo portrait feb 7 1871 cropped

SAMUEL L. CLEMENS

By ebpotter

  • Birth of Samuel L. Clemens

    Birth of Samuel L. Clemens
    Samuel L. Clemens is born as Halley's Comet makes an appearance.

  • Hannibal, Missouri

    Hannibal, Missouri
    Clemens' family moves to Hannibal, Missouri a port town on the Mississippi River. This town is the inspiration behind St. Petersburg, Missouri where 'Tom Sawyer' takes place.

  • Typesetter Apprenticeship

    Typesetter Apprenticeship
    in 1851 Clemens begins work for his brother, Orion, at the 'Hannibal Journal' as a typesetter.

  • Printer

    Printer
    In 1853, Clemens began work as a printer in New York. He also worked as a printer in Philadelphia, St. Louis and Cincinnati.

  • Steamboat Cub Pilot

    Steamboat Cub Pilot
    Clemens and his brother, Henry, begin working on a steamboat. Clemens is trained as a cub pilot. On this date an explosion on the steamboat kills Henry.

  • Mark Twain

    Mark Twain
    Clemens first signs the name Mark Twain after he penned "Letter From Carson – re: Joe Goodman; party at Gov. Johnson's; music." The phrase mark twain was a river cry for a safe passages for a steamboat.

  • 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' is published

    'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' is published
    The first illustrated edition of 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' is published by the American Publishing Company. This story takes place approximately in the year 1845.

  • Death of Samuel L. Clemens

    Death of Samuel L. Clemens
    Samuel L. Clemens passes away from a heart attack as Helley's Comet passes by Earth once again. Clemens predicted that he would leave with the comet just as he arrived with it.

  • Clemens' Autobiography is Published

    Clemens' Autobiography is Published
    Clemens' wrote his autobiography, by dictation, and requested it to be published 100 years after his death.