Mark twain biography timeline reporting

Nov 30, 1835

Mark Twain Born

Samuel Langhorne Clemens is born in Florida, Missouri, the sixth child of John Marshall and Jane Lampton Clemens.

1839

Family Moves to Hannibal

The Clemens family moves to Hannibal, Missouri, a riverbank town that is a frequent stop for steamboats traveling the Mississippi.

Young Samuel reveres the riverboat pilots and hopes to become one himself.

1847

Death of Twain's Father

Samuel's father John Clemens dies, forcing the family into financial hardship.

1851

Twain Takes Work as Printer

At the age of 15, Samuel leaves school and goes to work as a printer in Hannibal.

1857

Apprentice River Pilot

Samuel Clemens begins a successful two-year apprenticeship to become a licensed river pilot.

He learns the lingo of the trade, including "mark twain," a phrase that refers to the river depth at which a boat is safe to navigate. He soon adopts it as his pen name.

Jun 1858

Death of Twain's Brother

Twain's youngest bro