Mark Twain November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910 Interesting fact: Twain was born and died while Halley’s Comet was passing earth. Real name: Samuel Langhorne Clemens

(http://www.windows2universe.org/comets/Halleys_comet.html ) What is Halley’s Comet? Using Isaac Newton's new Laws of Motion, the astronomer, Edmond Halley, made a prediction in 1705. He stated that a comet which had appeared in 1531, 1607 and 1682 would reappear in 1758. Furthermore, it appeared in 1835 and again in 1910. Edmond Halley was proven to be correct, however, he did not live to see it. The comet was later named in his honor. Test your math skills: According to the years above, how often does Halley’s Comet appear? (http://www.windows2universe.org/comets/Halleys_comet.html )

Mark Twain was very aware of Halley’s Comet. “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 go out with Halley's Comet. The Almighty has said, no doubt: "Now here are these two unaccountable fiends; they came in together, they must go out together." - Mark Twain, a Biography

How does Mark Twain fit into our study of U.S. History? As Twain’s books provide insight into the past‚ the events of his personal life further demonstrate his role as an eyewitness to history. During his lifetime‚ Sam Clemens watched a young United States evolve from a nation torn apart by internal conflicts to one of international power. He experienced America’s vast growth and change – from westward expansion to industrialization‚ the end of slavery‚ advancements in technology‚ big business and foreign wars. And along the way‚ he often had something to say about the changes happening in his country. http://www.marktwainhouse.org/

Mark Twain Famous for writing The Adventure’s of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

A few more books by Mark Twain: The Innocents Abroad Roughing It The Gilded Age The Prince and the Pauper And many more!

Mark Twain Mr. Clemens grew up in Hannibal, MO. This is where his stories take place. What region would that be?

Mark Twain Growing up Mr. Clemens had several occupations. A printer, typesetter, riverboat captain, gold miner, and finally a writer!

Mark Twain Samuel Clemens got the name Mark Twain from a river term. Mark Twain means two fathoms or twelve feet.

Mark Twain Twain also has three patents: a replacement for suspenders, a history trivia game, and an adhesive for scrapbooks! He was also friends with Nicola Tesla and Thomas Edison! Picture bottom left: “The average american loves his family. If he has any love left over for some other person, he generally selects Mark Twain.”

Mark Twain Twain also lost a lot of money investing in new inventions. Mainly the Paige typesetting machine. $300,000 in the 1880’s ($7,590,000 today)

A Life Lived in a Rapidly Changing World: Samuel L. Clemens 1835-1910 Like any good journalist‚ Sam Clemens‚ a.k.a. Mark Twain‚ spent his life observing and reporting on his surroundings. In his writings he provided images of the romantic‚ the real‚ the strengths and weaknesses of a rapidly changing world. By examining his life and his works‚ we can read into the past - piecing together various events of the era and the responses to them. We can delve into the American mindset of the late nineteenth century and make our own observations of history‚ discover new connections‚ create new inferences and gain better insights into the time period and the people who lived in it. As Sam once wrote‚ “Supposing is good‚ but finding out is better.” For more information on Mark Twain or his biography, visit: http://www.marktwainhouse.org/man/biography_main.php