"My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it"

American Author and Social Commentator

MARK TWAIN

(1835-1910)

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, who is more famous for his pen name Mark Twain, is the one of the most important American writers who witnessed life, fortune, tragedy and slavery on the Mississippi River throughout his childhood which became the foundation of his two most famous books: The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. Over his 75 years, he witnessed many changes in The United States of America which was only founded some 40 years before the time of his birth. His stories are read by each generation of Americans, not only for historical value and social reflection, but for the wit and humour with which Twain was gifted. He suffered from wanderlust which drove him to experience new ways of living, lands and culture within the U.S.A.

Twain’s mother, Jane Clemens was a great horsewoman and loved to dance. She was creative and knitted. When the family lost their fortune, she moved on from failure with her husband to a new city and a new business adventure but she kept her Southern culture and personality which was unique. Twain’s mother was often the victim of her son’s pranks and was often brought into his world of imagination and roleplaying, especially when he was around the age of five where Twain witnessed the famous Gold Rush that swept the U.S.A. Most of the events and plots of his books were drawn from real life experiences and lessons he learnt growing up with his mother.