Samuel Langhorne Clemens, known by his pen name Mark Twain, was a multifaceted American writer celebrated for his humor, essays, novels, and lectures. Hailed as the foremost humorist in the United States and dubbed "the father of American literature" by William Faulkner, Twain penned iconic works such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and its sequel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884), often acclaimed as the quintessential "Great American Novel." His repertoire also includes A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1889), Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894), and co-authoring The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today (1873) alongside Charles Dudley Warner. Raised in Hannibal, Missouri, the backdrop for his famous novels, Twain apprenticed as a printer and later became a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi, shaping his experiences into the acclaimed Life on the Mississippi (1883). His career journey led him westward to Nevada, contributing to journalism after an unsuccessful stint in mining. Twain's breakout success came with the humorous tale "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" (1865), bringing him international acclaim. Known for both fiction and non-fiction, Twain's witty satire earned him admiration, making him a sought-after speaker and respected figure among various circles, including presidents, artists, and royalty. While initially expressing support for American interests in the Hawaiian Islands, Twain later reversed his stance, becoming a vocal critic of the Philippine-American War and colonialism as the vice president of the American Anti-Imperialist League. Despite earning substantial wealth from his writings, Twain faced financial setbacks due to unsuccessful investments. Despite declaring bankruptcy, he resolved his financial debts, showing remarkable integrity by paying off all his creditors in full. Born and passing away around appearances of Halley's Comet, Twain had foretold his death to align with the comet's return, indeed passing a day after its closest approach to Earth.

Mark Twain - Wikipedia