Mark Twain's Milestones

Mark Twain was an American author and humorist, best known for classics like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer, chronicling American life and culture with wit and insight.
1835

Birth

Mark Twain was born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in Florida, Missouri, to John Marshall Clemens and Jane Lampton Clemens.

Family November 30, 1835
1839

Family moved to Hannibal

Moved with his family to Hannibal, Missouri, a port town on the Mississippi River.

Location May 1, 1839
1847

Worked as a printer

Worked as a printer's apprentice and typesetter, contributing to local newspapers.

Career January 1, 1847 - January 1, 1853

Father's death

His father died when Samuel was 11 years old.

Family March 24, 1847
1853

Left home to travel

Left Hannibal to work as a printer in New York, Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Cincinnati.

Other June 1, 1853
1857

Riverboat pilot

Worked as a licensed riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River until river traffic was halted by the Civil War.

Career April 9, 1857 - June 6, 1861
1861

Served briefly in Confederate militia

Served briefly in a Confederate militia before heading west.

Other June 10, 1861 - July 20, 1861

Silver mining in Nevada

Tried silver mining in Nevada Territory.

Career July 26, 1861 - August 1, 1862
1862

Became journalist in Nevada

Became a reporter for the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise; adopted the pen name 'Mark Twain.'

Career August 2, 1862
1866

Lecturing career

Began a successful career as a public lecturer.

Career May 1, 1866
1869

Published 'The Innocents Abroad'

Published his first major travel book, 'The Innocents Abroad.'

Achievement July 1, 1869
1870

Marriage to Olivia Langdon

Married Olivia Langdon; they had four children.

Relationship February 2, 1870
1872

Published 'Roughing It'

Published the semi-autobiographical work 'Roughing It.'

Achievement February 1, 1872
1876

Published 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'

Published 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.'

Achievement June 1, 1876
1880

Published 'A Tramp Abroad'

Published the travel book 'A Tramp Abroad.'

Achievement March 1, 1880
1881

Published 'The Prince and the Pauper'

Published the novel 'The Prince and the Pauper.'

Achievement December 1, 1881
1884

Published 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'

Published 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.'

Achievement December 10, 1884
1894

Financial troubles and bankruptcy

Declared bankruptcy due to failed investments but repaid his debts through lecture tours.

Other April 18, 1894
1895

World lecture tour

Embarked on a world lecture tour to pay off debts.

Achievement July 14, 1895 - August 31, 1896
1904

Death of wife Olivia

His wife Olivia Langdon Clemens died.

Family June 5, 1904
1910

Death

Mark Twain died in Redding, Connecticut.

Other April 21, 1910