Mark Twain is the pen name of the author responsible for classics such as Huckleberry Finn. His real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens. Another nickname he had was Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass. He'd chose to write under this nickname when he'd written and submitted various humorous pieces to the Keokuk Post, prior to adopting the pen name Mark Twain.

He was born two weeks after the appearance of the Halley Comet in 1835, in Florida, Mo. The comet appeared again seventy-five years later. Sadly, Mark Twain died during the day the comet reappeared for the second time, on the twenty-first of April, 1910. He died in Redding, Conn. It is an odd but sad coincidence, but at least die at a young age. He was buried in his wife's family cemetery Woodlawn Cemetery, based in Elmira, New York.

When he was a teenager, Twain worked as an apprentice printer.

Twain also served during the American Civil War. During his service, he'd formed a Confederate militia group known as the "Marion Rangers". After two weeks, the group was disbanded. He left Missouri after the militia had disbanded and moved to Nevada, where he would work as a miner.

Other jobs he'd had included: a steamboat pilot, a gold prospector and a journalist in Nevada and San Francisco during the height of the Gold Rush. He was also a renowned lecturer, known for his storytelling prowess and stage presence.

He was married to Olivia Langdon for thirty-four years. She died in 1904. During their marriage, Twain fathered four children: Langdon, Susy, Clara and Jean Clemens.

Twain has the distinction of creating characters well known to people who had never even read the books. But he also has the distinction for something else. He adopted the pen name of Twain in 1863, in Nevada. During this time and after, he would become an icon and well-known individual himself. Not only was he America's first celebrated literary author, but he also became a true hero. During his life, he'd certainly experienced a vivid journey and helped shape the country.

Mark Twain published over thirty pieces of wide ranging literature encompassing satire, historical fiction, short stories and non-fiction. Many pieces are timeless classics and the definition of literature. He was responsible for classics such as Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Prince and The Pauper. He also wrote five travelogues covering his experiences from Western U.S. to Asia and the places he visited in between.

People looking for his works should look out for a detailed history of Joan of Arc and excerpts from the diaries of Adam and Eve, plus letters of Satan's visit to earth.

Huckleberry Finn along with being a well-deserved classic also had the honour of being the fifth most frequently challenged book in the U.S. by the American Library Association.

During the last few years of his life, Twain was the vice president of the American Anti-imperialist League from 1901-1910.

Sources used:

http://www.cmgww.com/historic/ twain/about/facts.htm

http://www.marktwainmuseum.org /content/research/faq.php

http://www.geocities.com/swais man/

http://etext.virginia.edu/rail ton/sc_as_mt/cathompg.html

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