Mark Twain

Mark Twain's Lifespan

Period: Nov 30, 1835 to Apr 21, 1910

Mark Twain was born on Nov. 30, 1835, and died on April 21, 1910. His work was important because it changed the way people wrote. His relaxed style and surprisingly dark comedy were something new at the time, and inspired many great books to come. Mark Twain was quirky and weird, but nice. People generally liked him, and he got along well.

Saw a man murder a cattle rancher

Jan 30, 1844

Watched a slave die

Jan 30, 1845

Got an apprenticeship as a printer for the "Hannibal Courier"

Jan 30, 1847

Got a job as a printer for the "Hannibal Western Union"

Jan 30, 1850

Began sailboating

Jan 30, 1856

Got an official liscense to pilot

Jan 30, 1859

Joined a volunteer unit for the Confederacy during the Civil War. It soon disbanded

Jun 30, 1861

Headed West to pan gold

Jul 30, 1861

Got a job as a reporter for the "Virginia City Territorial Enterprise". Started writing under the name "Mark Twain"

Sep 30, 1862

One of his stories gained fame around the country

Jan 30, 1865

Took a five month sea cruise, in which he wrote.

Jan 30, 1867

"The Innocents Abroad" was published and became a bestseller immediately. He is known as one of the most famous American writers.

Jan 30, 1869

Marries Olivia Langdon, a high class New York socialite.

Feb 28, 1870

"Tom Sawyer" is published

Jan 30, 1876

"The Prince and the Pauper" is published.

Jan 30, 1881

"Life on the Mississippi" is published.

Jan 30, 1883

"Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" is published. It's written differently and with a more honest voice than other books of the time.

Jan 30, 1884

"A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" is published. This is a sci-fi/historical novel.

Jan 30, 1889

Round the world lecture tour

Jan 30, 1895

Wife, Livy, dies of illness.

Jun 30, 1904

Recieved several honors from Oxford and Yale as well as honorary degrees. He was very popular, but never received the wealth he had hoped for.

Jan 30, 1910