Mark Twain Biography

Birth Place Born in Florida, Missouri Born in Florida, Missouri Birthday: November 30, 1835 Birthday: November 30, 1835 Parents: John and Jane Clemens Parents: John and Jane Clemens Raised in Hannibal, Missouri Raised in Hannibal, Missouri

Connection to Slavery His uncle and father both owned slaves His uncle and father both owned slaves from whom he would listen to stories and songs. This is where he learned to love story telling.

Education Went to school up to the 5 th grade Went to school up to the 5 th grade Left school at age 11 when his father died in 1847 Left school at age 11 when his father died in 1847

Professional Career First job was as a printers apprentice in Missouri. First job was as a printers apprentice in Missouri. From Missouri he went to New York and Philadelphia and worked for several newspapers From Missouri he went to New York and Philadelphia and worked for several newspapers In 1857 he came back to Missouri and worked as a riverboat captain. In 1857 he came back to Missouri and worked as a riverboat captain.

Professional Career In 1857 a river boat captain’s salary was $ per month, which is equivalent to a 155,000$ per year salary in the present day.

Professional Career In 1861 Mark Twain became a silver miner in Nevada; he was unsuccessful. In 1861 Mark Twain became a silver miner in Nevada; he was unsuccessful. In Nevada he began to write for the Territorial Enterprise newspaper; this is when he started going by the name of Mark Twain. In Nevada he began to write for the Territorial Enterprise newspaper; this is when he started going by the name of Mark Twain.

Professional Career In 1865 Twain published his first short story, “Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog”. In 1865 Twain published his first short story, “Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog”.

Marriage In 1870, Mark Twain married Olivia Langhorn. In 1870, Mark Twain married Olivia Langhorn.

Professional Career In 1876 Tom Sawyer was published and in 1884 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was published, both of which are his most popular works. In 1876 Tom Sawyer was published and in 1884 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was published, both of which are his most popular works.