Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by the pen name Mark Twain, was an American author, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and famous writers in history, and his works continue to be read and enjoyed worldwide.
Twain was born in Florida, Missouri, but spent much of his life on the move. After a series of jobs in the newspaper industry, he worked as a riverboat pilot and later became a writer. His humorous and satirical writings, which often addressed social issues and political topics, brought him considerable fame and fortune.
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, published in 1865 and followed by the more serious Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in 1884, cemented his status as a writer of note. His wit and satire, both in prose and speech, earned him acclaim from critics and peers alike and made him a friend of politicians, artists, industrialists, and European royalty.
In the last years of his life, Twain struggled with health problems and financial difficulties. He was also hounded by allegations that his work, particularly the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, had a negative impact on racial relations in the United States.
Twain died on 21 April 1910 at Stormfield, his home in Redding, Connecticut. He was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Elmira, New York, on the Langdon family plot. His ashes were later dispersed in the Atlantic Ocean near Nova Scotia, Canada.
