Mark Twain

(1835-1910)

Born Samuel Clemens, Twain's "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," coupled with his lecturing, brought him his initial popularity.

Twain released his most highly acclaimed work, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" in 1876.

His last great Mississippi fiction, "The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson" came almost 20 years later.

Because of Twain's insight and sense of humor he will be remembered as an irreverent jester.

-- Benet's Reader's Encyclopedia of American Literature

Pub Date: 05/30/99