Mark Twain - biography.

Mark Twain - biography. American writer and humorist Birth November 30, 1835 Death April 21, 1910 Place of Florida, Missouri Birth Known For Humorous, often satirical writing that exposes hypocrisy and corruption while examining small-town life in America in the 19th century Milestones 1847 Worked as a printer's apprentice in Hannibal, Missouri, and thereafter began working at his brother Orion's newspaper 1853-1856 Traveled to St. Louis, New York, and Philadelphia, working as a journeyman printer Late 1850s Wrote for the Keokuk Post 1857-1861 Apprenticed himself to a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River and earned his pilot license 1861-1864 Moved to Nevada with his brother to explore mining possibilities, and continued on to San Francisco where he worked as a journalist 1867 Published his first book, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, and other Sketches 1876 Published the novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, the story of a young boy's escapades while growing up along the Mississippi River 1882 Published the novel The Prince and the Pauper 1884 Published the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, considered to be his masterpiece 1889 Published the novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court 1894 Published the novel The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson Quote 'Hain't we got all the fools in town on our side? And ain't that a big enough majority in any town?' The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, ch. 26 (1884) Did You Mark Twain, the pseudonym used by Samuel Langhorne Clemens, first appeared on February 3, 1863, in a piece he contributed to the Know Virginia City Territorial Enterprise. Prior to adopting Mark Twain as his pen name, Clemens wrote under the pen name Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass for three humorous pieces he contributed to the Keokuk Post. On the Mississippi River, 'mark twain' meant 'two fathoms deep.' Twain received an honorary doctorate from Oxford University in 1907. To pay off debts accumulated as a result of failed business ventures, Twain toured the world as a lecturer, publishing his experiences in Following the Equator (1897). Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.