Mark Twain was the pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835–1910), an American writer, humorist, and essayist widely regarded as one of the greatest humorists and a foundational figure in American literature
. Born on November 30, 1835, in Florida, Missouri, Twain grew up in Hannibal, Missouri, which inspired the settings for his most famous works
. He initially worked as a typesetter, riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River, and miner before becoming a journalist and writer
. Twain first gained national attention with his humorous short story "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" in 1865
. He wrote both fiction and nonfiction, with his best-known novels including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884), the latter often called the "Great American Novel"
. Twain was also a popular lecturer and social critic, known for his wit and satire that addressed issues such as racism and hypocrisy in American society
. He traveled extensively, and his travel writings like The Innocents Abroad (1869) were also very successful
. Despite financial setbacks from failed investments, Twain remained a beloved literary figure until his death on April 21, 1910, in Redding, Connecticut
. His legacy endures as a key figure in American letters and culture.
