Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was born in Missouri in 1835. For over five generations, readers have been entertained by his humorous stories and witty remarks. He is one of the greatest writers in American history, and his classics, such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, still captivate audiences today.
But what was his life like? Was he destined to be a writer? Here are some top fun facts about Mark Twain.
Things to know about Mark Twain
1. He was frail in his youth
Twain was born two months prematurely and was a sickly baby until the age of 7. He had six siblings, but only three of them survived to adulthood. His father, John Marshall, a self-educated lawyer, moved the family to Hannibal, Missouri, to find greener pastures. Unfortunately, he died of pneumonia when Twain was only 11 years old.
2. He was a mischief maker
Since he was a sickly child, his mother, Jane Clemens, spoiled him, and Twain turned out to be quite a mischievous boy, much like the character Tom Sawyer. Mark Twain humorously recounts that when his mother was 80, he asked her how she felt about his poor health when he was young, asking if she was uneasy about him.
“Yes, the whole time,” she replied. “Afraid I wouldn’t live?” Mark Twain asked. “No,” she said. “Afraid you would.”
3. His formal schooling was limited
Twain’s education ended at age 12 when he was forced to find work after his father’s death. He began working full-time at the Hannibal Journal as an apprentice printer. But he made up for what he lacked in formal education with his thirst for knowledge. Twain would spend hours at the library in the evening educating himself.
4. He was a riverboat pilot
Being a riverboat pilot was Mark Twain’s dream as a teenager. This was partly because the job was quite lucrative. He became an apprentice riverboat pilot in 1857 and received his pilot’s license two years later in 1859. However, his journey was far from smooth. In 1858, tragedy struck when his younger brother Henry perished in a steamboat explosion aboard the Pennsylvania — a vessel Twain had recommended for Henry’s employment.
Mark Twain was devastated and blamed himself for Henry’s death for the rest of his life. Still, after he got his license, he worked as a pilot for around two years until the American Civil War broke out in 1861.
5. He used several pen names
Before settling on “Mark Twain,” Clemens experimented with various pseudonyms, including Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass and Sergeant Fathom.
His pen name, “Mark Twain,” comes from his steamboat days working on the Mississippi River. Boatmen would yell out “mark twain” to tell the pilot they were at a depth of two fathoms (12 feet) where the steamboat could safely navigate.
6. He loved cats
At one time, Mark Twain had 19 cats in his home. He loved his cats so much that they made cameos in his writings. In his characteristic witty fashion, he gave his cats fantastical names like Bambino, Beelzebub, Buffalo Bill, Zoroaster, Sackcloth, Sin, Pestilence, Soapy Sal, and more.
7. Huckleberry Finn was based on a real person
His hometown, Hannibal, Missouri, inspired many of Mark Twain’s stories. The character of Huckleberry Finn was based on Tom Blankenship, a childhood friend of Twain’s. Blankenship’s life and character traits were reflected in the fictional Huck Finn.
8. He almost got into a duel with another writer
While drunk, Mark Twain wrote a satirical article about a charity fundraiser published in Virginia’s City Territorial Enterprise. This article caused quite an uproar from a rival newspaper, and he ended up challenging its editor to a duel.
The precise details of the article and events are unknown, but Mark Twain fled to San Francisco before the duel took place.
9. A missed deadline becomes a gateway to fame
In an ironic twist of fate, missing a deadline set the stage for Mark Twain’s first major success. Tasked with contributing a story for a friend’s book, Twain recounted an amusing tale he’d heard in Calaveras County about a jumping frog contest. However, he didn’t finish in time for the book’s publication. Instead, the story reached the Saturday Press in New York, where it was published to widespread acclaim. This accidental delay heralded the start of Twain’s celebrated career in literature, proving that sometimes, fortune smiles in unexpected moments.
10. He was fascinated by inventors and inventions
Mark Twain’s passion for science and innovation led him to form close friendships with notable inventors like Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla. In a peculiar incident, Tesla used an electromechanical oscillator to treat Twain’s constipation.
Twain’s fascination, however, came with financial risks. He heavily invested in new technologies, including the Paige typesetting machine, a venture that failed spectacularly, costing him the equivalent of about US$8 million in today’s money. Twain also famously passed up the chance to invest in Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone, a decision he would likely regret as the invention became immensely successful.
11. He repaid his debts through lecturing
Despite his financial misadventures, Twain’s dedication to his creditors was unwavering. He embarked on a year-long lecture tour across the globe, ultimately repaying every debt he owed.
12. He came and went with Halley’s Comet
Mark Twain was born the same year Halley’s Comet appeared. He said: “I came in with Halley’s Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year [1910], and I expect to go out with it. It will be the greatest disappointment of my life if I don’t.” His wishes came true. He passed away on April 21, 1910, in the year of the comet’s next appearance.
Mark Twain remains one of the most quoted — and misquoted — figures in history. His sharp wit and profound insights into human nature have left a lasting impression, making his words a staple in both literary and everyday discourse. It’s only fitting to conclude with some of Twain’s memorable quotes that continue to inspire and amuse:
“Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”
“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
Through his literary masterpieces, personal life, and quotable wisdom, Mark Twain has indelibly marked the fabric of American culture and literature, embodying the spirit of innovation, resilience, and timeless humor.
