Mark Twain (1835 – 1910), born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, was an American writer, humorist, and satirist, often considered the "father of American literature." His most famous works include The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884), the latter often regarded as the "Great American Novel."
Raised in Hannibal, Missouri, Twain worked as a printer and later became a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River, which influenced his memoir Life on the Mississippi (1883). His literary breakthrough came in 1865 with The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, a humorous short story that gained international recognition. Twain’s sharp wit and satirical voice made him one of the most popular authors of his time.
Beyond literature, he was a social critic, opposing imperialism and supporting civil rights. Despite earning a fortune, he faced financial struggles due to failed investments but repaid his debts through lectures. He predicted his death would coincide with Halley’s Comet’s return, which it did in 1910. Twain remains a towering figure in American literature, celebrated for his humor and keen observations of society.