Meet the polygamists of the Bible
Twain left school at age 11 after his father's death to become a printer's apprentice, starting his career in writing and publishing.
Mark Twain, one of America's greatest writers, is known for his wit, wisdom, and unforgettable characters like Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. But there's more to this literary legend than meets the eye. From his adventurous life to his humorous yet profound insights, Twain's legacy continues to influence writers and thinkers around the world.
Click on to discover lesser-known facts about Twain, along with some of his most memorable quotes that showcase his sharp humor and timeless wisdom.
Mark Twain was born Samuel Langhorne Clemens. He adopted his pen name in early 1863 while working as a newspaperman in Nevada. It was inspired by his steamboat days, when the term "mark twain" signified a depth of two fathoms, or 12 feet (3.6 meters).
Twain was born shortly after Halley's Comet appeared in 1835 and famously predicted that his death would coincide with its return. Remarkably, he passed away on April 21, 1910, just one day after the comet's closest approach to Earth.
He fulfilled his boyhood dream of becoming a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River before the Civil War disrupted river traffic.
He claimed in his autobiography that 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' (1876) was the first book manuscript submitted using a typewriter, which he wrote on a Remington machine.
Twain was an avid smoker, reportedly smoking up to 40 cigars a day. He was also a cat lover and owned up to 19 cats at once.
He sought fortune in Nevada's silver mines but failed, leading him to journalism and eventually to storytelling.
He patented three inventions, including an adjustable strap design to replace suspenders and a history trivia game. His most successful invention was a self-pasting scrapbook, which sold over 25,000 units.
Twain traveled extensively, including to Europe and India, often turning his observations into popular books. One such work, 'The Innocents Abroad,' was published in 1869.
Twain's investments in failed inventions led to financial ruin, but he recovered by embarking on a global lecture tour.
He was born in Florida, Missouri, in 1835, but grew up in the bustling river town of Hannibal, which inspired the setting for 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' (1876) and 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' (1884). Twain is pictured here outside his home in Hannibal.
Twain befriended the famous Serbian-American inventor (blurred at the center) and was fascinated by his experiments with electricity.
Despite personal tragedies, Twain's public persona remained comedic and satirical, earning him the title "Father of American Literature."
Before settling on Mark Twain, he used the pen name "Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass" and "Quintius Curtius Snodgrass" for humorous articles.
Twain became a cultural icon in his later years, frequently photographed in his trademark white suit.
During the Spanish-American War, Twain emerged as a fervent anti-imperialist, joining the Anti-Imperialist League and voicing strong opposition to the US annexation of the Philippines.
Twain left several unfinished works, including 'The Mysterious Stranger,' which was completed and published posthumously in 1916.
Twain outlived three of his four children and his wife, Olivia, which deeply impacted his later writings.
Twain's quotes, rich in wit and wisdom, have a timeless quality. His sharp humor continues to influence literature and culture.
"Everyone is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody."
'Following the Equator' (1897)
"When angry, count four; when very angry, swear."
'Pudd'nhead Wilson' (1893)
"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear."
'Pudd'nhead Wilson' (1893)
"Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed."
'Following the Equator' (1897)
"Facts, or what a man believes to be facts, are always delightful...Get your facts first, and...then you can distort 'em as much as you please."
"It is by the goodness of God that in our country we have those three unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and the prudence never to practice either of them."
'Following the Equator' (1897)
"The holy passion of Friendship is of so sweet and steady and loyal and enduring a nature that it will last through a whole lifetime, if not asked to lend money."
'Pudd'nhead Wilson' (1893)
"Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest."
Sources: (ABC News) (Britannica) (Mark Twain House)
See also: Censored stories: popular page-turners that were banned
"It were not best that we should all think alike; it is difference of opinion that makes horse races."
'Pudd'nhead Wilson' (1893)
Twain served for a few weeks in a Confederate militia during the Civil War before deserting and moving west.
Mark Twain's legacy: fascinating facts and memorable quotes
Exploring Twain's life, legacy, and the words that still inspire
LIFESTYLE Authors
Mark Twain, one of America's greatest writers, is known for his wit, wisdom, and unforgettable characters like Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. But there's more to this literary legend than meets the eye. From his adventurous life to his humorous yet profound insights, Twain's legacy continues to influence writers and thinkers around the world.
Click on to discover lesser-known facts about Twain, along with some of his most memorable quotes that showcase his sharp humor and timeless wisdom.