This list of interesting details concerning Mark Twain was created for personal reasons. However, as we find out, many people familiar with and admire Mark would be interested in learning these little facts as well. Read more.
It is very difficult to find a lover of literature who hasn’t heard of Mark Twain. He is among the best writers of the past century in America. Through his humorous and clever writing, he entertained thousands of readers worldwide.
Suppose you’re looking for more information about this famous writer, comedian, and philosopher. In that case, this article is perfect for you because we will give you 25 interesting details regarding Mark Twain with you in this article.
So, let’s get started…
25 Interesting Facts About Mark Twain
#1 His Real Name
It is likely that you already know that Mark Twain is not actually his real name. Yes, it’s their pen name of his. However, the real name of his pen was ‘Samuel Longhorne Clemens.’ His birthplace was in Florida, Missouri, USA at the end of November 30, 1835. We all recognize Mark Twain as a writer as humorist, publisher, and writer. But he was also an entrepreneur and businessperson, and lecturer.
#2 Some Famous Quotes by Mark Twain
Mark Twain is known for many famous quotes. Here are a few of his most memorable quotations for your enjoyment.
- If you are on the other side that is majority-owned, it’s an opportunity to stop and reflect.’
- It’s better for you to shut your mouth and look stupid instead of opening it up to remove any doubt.’
- “The fear of death follows the fear of living. One who is fully alive is prepared to pass away anytime.’
- The secret to success is to get started.’
- If you are honest, then you don’t need to be able to recall anything.’
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#3 His Education
Mark Twain was not fond of his former schooling. When Twain was eleven an old, his father passed away from pneumonia in 1847. The school he attended was closed and he stayed away for the rest of the year, having just completed the 5th grade. Then the school year, he did not receive a formal education.
At the time, he worked as an apprentice to the printer. In 1851, he began working as a typewriter for the “Hannibal Journal.” There is a rumor that Mark Twain once said, ‘Never let schooling hinder the education you pursue.’
#4 His Notion to Education
Mark Twain knew that education is essential to the development of any human being. But, he didn’t enjoy formal education, as you can tell that he did not receive formal education beyond elementary school.
He thought that schooling was not the same as learning or education. He learned about new subjects at public libraries after leaving school in the past. He was also anti-educational during his time within the USA.
#5 He was a Steamboat Pilot
Per Mark Twain, his goal was to be a steamboat pilot in his youth. It was among the most prestigious jobs, and it was also expensive compared to other occupations at present. This is why He was admitted under the name of “Horace E. Bixby as a well-known steamboat pilot, to learn to become a pilot of steamboats.
To get that, he needed to have to shell out 500USD, which equals about 15 thousand dollars at the moment. This is his first paycheck upon graduation. After two years of instruction, He was awarded the pilot’s license.
#6 He was a Student of Parapsychology
When he was employed as a steamboat pilot, his younger brother came to work alongside him. Both were employed on the steamboat called ‘Pennsylvania.’
On June 13, 1858, when the steamboat’s boiler exploded. In the end, Mark Twain’s younger brother, Henry, was badly injured and passed away just a few days later as a result of the accident.
Finally, Twain took it very difficult to blame himself for the loss of his brother. Twain added that he saw his brother’s death in a dream one month earlier. This incident also enticed him with parapsychology. He joined and was one of the first members of the renowned ‘Society for Psychological Research.
#7 He Went Bankrupt
Twain made a lot of money from his writings and talks. He eventually invested the money in various exciting ventures. However, he was an unprofessional businessman and investor.
In fact, In reality, he lost the majority of his money on bad investments. One of his biggest failed investments was in the “Paige Compositor’.
This was a mechanical typewriter. It was, however, extremely complicated to operate. It was a failure. Then, he was forced to file for bankruptcy. Thanks to ‘Henry Hulston Rogers’ who assisted Mark Twain during his financial problems to return from bankruptcy.
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#8 His Popular Writings
Mark Twain has written fiction novels, novels, non-fiction shorter stories, and more during his lifetime. The vast collection of his work is a favorite all over the globe. Here are a few of the most renowned literary works by Mark Twain.
- The Innocents Abroad: It’s the title of a travel guide. The book was released in 1869.
- Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: The most well-known book written by Mark Twain. The novel was released in 1884.
- The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: Another novel was created by Mark Twain. It was published in 1876.
- The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County It was a story of a brief length that was published in 1865. This gave Mark Twain his initial success as an author.
- The War Prayer: This short story was written in 1905. Despite the author’s wishes, the story was not published until after his death. Then it was published in 1916, following his death. Mark Twain.
#9 Mark Twain’s View on Religion
According to some sources, Mark Twain was a fan of Presbyterianism. It is believed that he was extremely critical of religious institutions. But, he stayed off publishing his views regarding religious beliefs and religions during his lifetime.
Actually, many of his writings against religion were censored by his family to protect him from controversial issues. Some of the most well-known writings are “Letters from The Earth as well The Mysterious Stranger’, and Little Bessie, among others. Then, the majority of the writings were published following his death.
#10 His Various Pen Names
We’ve told you that “Mark Twain” was the pen name he used. It is interesting to note that it was not his initial pen name. He used the name ‘Josh’ as his pen name up to 1863.
Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass’ for his pen name in several published works. In the end, he began using his famous pen name, ‘Mark Twain.’ In addition, he published almost all of his most popular works under the pen name Mark Twain after the fact.
#11 He Tried Mining
Mark Twain tried his luck in mining too. He was a mining engineer on the famous Comstock Lode, the most famous silver ore lode located in Virginia City. However, he wasn’t successful in mining. He left the town and began working for a local newspaper called ‘Territorial Enterprise.’ He was a writer.
#12 He was an Avid Traveler
Mark Twain is known for traveling around the globe. Actually, many of his travel stories have been based on his experiences of traveling to different nations worldwide. He traveled to various parts of America.
He traveled to his home country of the Middle East, India, Australia, Canada, and numerous countries within Europe during his lifetime. He also became famous for his role as a featured speaker. Therefore, he traveled to several countries as a paid speaker too.
#13 He was a Cat Person
Mark Twain loved cats. At the very least, it was reported that two cats would be with him throughout his life as an adult. There is speculation that he may have had as many as 19 cats as animal companions at one time in his life.
#14 Inspiration of Twain’s Writings
Mark Twain and his family relocated to Hannibal, Missouri, during his childhood. He grew up close to the banks of the Mississippi River.
It is interesting to note that this specific period of his life was also the source of his most popular novels like ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer as well as “The Huckleberry Finn.’ Huckleberry Finn’. He said that the cult character, ‘Huckleberry Finn, was based on one of his friends from his youth named Tom Blankenship.
#15 Mark Twain and Innovative Technology
Twain was extremely fond of technological advances. He was fascinated by new technology. He is said to be among the first living in America USA with a phone at home. He was also among the first to use the typewriter to write the history of books.
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#16 The Beginning of Mark Twain as A Writer
Twain did not write since his childhood. He began to write for the “Hannibal Journal” like a typewriter. The elder brother of his, ‘Orion Clemens’ purchased the journal back in the year 1850. This means that he worked alongside his brother.
As time passed, he began to write pieces here and there. He would also create sketches that appeared in the magazine. Then, he began writing daily.
#17 Mark Twain’s Autobiography
The final piece of work by Mark Twain in his lifetime was his autobiography. The author wrote it in a non-chronological order in order to keep it entertaining. Many historians and compilers have tried to arrange the biography into chronological order following the initial publication.
The fascinating thing about the autobiography of Mark Twain is that Twain would like it to be published within 100 years of his passing away. As per his request, the book was published in November 2010. It soon became one of the most popular books of the 21st century.
#18 Twain and Exclamation Mark
Mark Twain was not a lover of using exclamation points. He wrote an essay titled “How to Tell A Story in 1895. In it, he claimed that using exclamation marks is like laughing at jokes you make yourself. This is why he advised writers not to use exclamation marks.
#19 His Love of Science and Discoveries
Mark Twain was intrigued by science and technology. In fact, he patented three inventions during his lifetime. Of them, the most effective invention was a self-pasting journal’. It sold more than 25000 copies of the self-pasting scrapbook. But other inventions by his were not as successful.
#20 Mark Twain and Nikola Tesla
Mark Twain’s closest acquaintances were Nikola Tesla. We are talking about the renowned scientist, inventor, and future-oriented Nikola Tesla. Both shared an interest in technology and science.
They have become friends. Mark Twain would visit the Tesla Laboratory frequently. They spent a lot of time together, working on their latest ideas.’
#21 Fingerprinting and Mark Twain
“Fingerprinting” is among the most frequently used techniques for forensic science in recent times. Mark Twain actually suggested that ‘Fingerprinting’ be utilized as a forensic method.
The technique was used as a central plot point in the novel titled “Pudd’nhead” Wilson. He also utilized this technique in the film ‘Life at the River series a few years back.
#22 Mark Twain and Thomas Edison
Mark Twain was also a great friend of Thomas Alva Edison, the famous inventor.
Edison was known to visit Twain periodically. In 1909, when Twain was in Redding, Connecticut, Thomas Edison visited Twain. While there, Edison filmed Mark Twain. This is the sole recorded video from Mark Twain available still today.
#23 Some Funny Mark Twain Quotes
Mark Twain is known for funny, witty, and hilarious quotes. We can’t close this blog without sharing a few of his greatest funny and sensible quotes. Here we go
- “A lie could travel through the globe six times, while the truth is trying to wear the pants.’
- “All generalizations are bogus, even this one.’
- A human being has an instinctual desire to possess more good things than he requires.’
- If it’s your responsibility to consume a frog is best to complete so early in the morning. If it’s your responsibility to feed two frogs, it’s better to go for the largest one first.’
- “Stop smoking cigarettes is the most simple thing you can do. I know this because I’ve done it countless times.’
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#24 The Father of American Literature
Mark Twain is known for his works of literature throughout the world. He is also regarded as the founder of American literature. To top it all off, he is regarded as the most renowned humorist that ever the USA could produce.
Many critics have referred to his book “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as the “First Great American Novel.” The writer “Ernest H. Hemmingway” once wrote about the book declaring that “all modern American literature is derived from a single book written by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn’.
#25 Halley’s Comet and Mark Twain
Halley’s Comet is a significant comet that is near-Earth every 75-76 years. Mark Twain was born two weeks after the Comet was close to Earth in 1835. According to him the theory, the Comet will be visible from Earth for the first time in 1910.
Incredibly, Twain declared in 1909 that he was in with Halley’s Comet and that he was planning to be out with it the following year, and it would be there again. Twain also said the possibility of his biggest disappointment if he could not take a trip in the evening with Halley’s Comet.
Surprisingly, the prediction made by Twain was right. The actor died from an attack of the heart on April 21, 1910. It was one Day after the Halley’s Comet was close to Earth.
Summing it Up:
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, aka Mark Twain, is a well-known character. He educated, taught, and entertained readers worldwide through his writings. But his life was not without highs and lows.
He also gave his insights to his fellow citizens to improve the world environment through his work. We hope that you enjoyed this collection of fascinating details concerning Mark Twain if you’ve had the pleasure to check out our article about details about Bill Gates.
You’ll surely enjoy reading this. If you have any questions or suggestions, please post them in the comments section below!
