Samuel Clemons Samuel Clemons A.K.A. A.K.A.

Mark TwainMark Twain

► Samuel Langhorne Samuel Langhorne Clemens, who would Clemens, who would one day be known as one day be known as Mark Twain - Mark Twain - America's most America's most famous literary icon, famous literary icon, was welcomed into was welcomed into the world as the sixth the world as the sixth child of John Marshall child of John Marshall and Jane Lampton and Jane Lampton Clemens.Clemens.

► In 1839 the Clemens family moved 35 In 1839 the Clemens family moved 35 miles east to the town of Hannibal, a miles east to the town of Hannibal, a growing port city that lie along the growing port city that lie along the banks of the Mississippi, from the banks of the Mississippi, from the small town of Florida, Mo. small town of Florida, Mo.

► Hannibal was a frequent stop for Hannibal was a frequent stop for steam boats arriving by both day and steam boats arriving by both day and night from St. Louis and New Orleans. night from St. Louis and New Orleans.

►When Samuel was 12, his father died of When Samuel was 12, his father died of pneumonia, and at 13, Samuel left pneumonia, and at 13, Samuel left school to become a printer's school to become a printer's apprentice. apprentice.

►After two short years, he joined his After two short years, he joined his brother Orion's newspaper as a printer brother Orion's newspaper as a printer and editorial assistant.and editorial assistant.

► It was here that young Samuel found It was here that young Samuel found he enjoyed writing. he enjoyed writing.

►At 17, he left Hannibal behind for a At 17, he left Hannibal behind for a printer's job in St. Louis. While in St. printer's job in St. Louis. While in St. Louis, Clemens became a river pilot's Louis, Clemens became a river pilot's apprentice. He became a licensed river apprentice. He became a licensed river pilot in 1858. pilot in 1858.

►Clemens' pseudonym, Mark Twain, Clemens' pseudonym, Mark Twain, comes from his days as a river pilot. comes from his days as a river pilot.

► It is a river term which means two It is a river term which means two fathoms or 12-feet when the depth of fathoms or 12-feet when the depth of water for a boat is being sounded. water for a boat is being sounded.

►In 1861 went to Nevada as private In 1861 went to Nevada as private secretary to his brother, who had secretary to his brother, who had been appointed secretary of the been appointed secretary of the territory.territory.

►Afterward he undertook mining in Afterward he undertook mining in Nevada, and became in 1862 city Nevada, and became in 1862 city editor of the Virginia City editor of the Virginia City ""Enterprise."Enterprise."

►"Mark twain" means that is safe to "Mark twain" means that is safe to navigate.navigate.

► Twain began to gain fame when his story, Twain began to gain fame when his story, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" appeared in the New York County" appeared in the New York Saturday Press on November 18, 1865. Saturday Press on November 18, 1865.

►Twain's first book, "The Innocents Twain's first book, "The Innocents Abroad," was published in 1869, "The Abroad," was published in 1869, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" in 1876, Adventures of Tom Sawyer" in 1876, and "The Adventures of Huckleberry and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" in 1885. Finn" in 1885.

?Questions about Twain??Questions about Twain?

►What did Mark Twain write about What did Mark Twain write about slavery? slavery?

►What was his view on slaves? What was his view on slaves? ►How did Mark Twain's background How did Mark Twain's background

influence his perceptions on African influence his perceptions on African Americans? Americans?

►Was Mark Twain a racist?Was Mark Twain a racist?

►His uncle, John Quarles, owned 20 slaves; so His uncle, John Quarles, owned 20 slaves; so Mark TwainMark Twain witnessed the practice of witnessed the practice of slavery first-hand whenever he spent slavery first-hand whenever he spent summers at his uncle's place.summers at his uncle's place.

When he was still a young boy, When he was still a young boy, Mark TwainMark Twain witnessed the brutal murder of a slave in his witnessed the brutal murder of a slave in his home town of Hannibal by the slave's home town of Hannibal by the slave's owner, who killed the man with a thrown owner, who killed the man with a thrown rock for "merely doing something awkward." rock for "merely doing something awkward."

In 1904, In 1904, Mark TwainMark Twain wrote in his notebook: wrote in his notebook: "The skin of every human being contains a "The skin of every human being contains a slave."slave."

In In A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's CourtA Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, , Mark TwainMark Twain wrote: "The blunting effects of wrote: "The blunting effects of slavery upon the slaveholder's moral slavery upon the slaveholder's moral perceptions are known and conceded the perceptions are known and conceded the world over; and a privileged class, an world over; and a privileged class, an aristocracy, is but a band of slaveholders aristocracy, is but a band of slaveholders under another name." under another name."

In "The Lowest Animal," In "The Lowest Animal," Mark TwainMark Twain wrote: "Man is the only Slave. And he wrote: "Man is the only Slave. And he is the only animal who enslaves. He is the only animal who enslaves. He has always been a slave in one form or has always been a slave in one form or another, and has always held other another, and has always held other slaves in bondage under him in one slaves in bondage under him in one way or another. way or another.