Mark Twain

The Clemens family relocated to Hannibal, Missouri in 1829.

Mark Twain is born on November 30th, 1835 in Florida.

Mark Twain and his family move to a small riverbank town in Missouri called Hannibal. It is here where Twain idolizes riverboat pilots, and wants to become one himself. (Exact date of move unknown)

In 1844, Samuel Clemens found a corpse in his father's office, which was the body of a California emigrant who had been stabbed in a quarrel, leaving a lasting impact on Clemens.

In January 1845, Samuel Clemens witnessed a man die in the street after being shot by a local merchant, an incident that later inspired the Boggs shooting in 'Huckleberry Finn'.

On March 24, Mr. Clemens, the head of the family, died. Following his death, the family returned to the Boyhood Home.

In 1848, at the age of 13, Samuel Clemens started working as a printer's apprentice for Joseph P. Ament's Missouri Courier, marking the end of his boyhood.

In September 1850, Sam's brother Orion bought the Western Union newspaper upon his return to Hannibal. Sam then started working for his brother, marking a new chapter in his professional life.

At the age of 15, Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) leaves formal education to begin working as a printer in Hannibal, Missouri.

In 1853, Mark Twain had his first experience with printing in various locations. This experience played a crucial role in shaping Twain's writing career and laid the foundation for his future works.

In 1856, Mark Twain delivered his first speech, showcasing his exceptional speaking skills and earning praise. This marked the beginning of his reputation as a talented lecturer.

Mark Twain obtains a two year apprenticeship to become a full fledged riverboat pilot. It is here where he learns the phrase, 'mark twain', which refers to the safe depth a riverboat can travel. He soon chooses 'Mark Twain' as his pen name. (Exact date of this event is unknown)

On June 13, 1858, the steamboat Pennsylvania's boiler exploded, resulting in casualties. Samuel Clemens' younger brother Henry, who was working as a mud clerk on the steamboat, succumbed to his wounds on June 21. This tragic event deeply impacted Clemens and inspired his interest in parapsychology.

Mark Twain's brother dies on June 21, 1858.

In 1859, Mark Twain successfully acquired his steamboat pilot license, a significant achievement in his career. This credential opened up new opportunities for him in the transportation industry.

Mark Twain joined the Freemasons in 1861, being initiated as an Entered Apprentice on May 22.

In 1861, Mark Twain progressed in Freemasonry, reaching the degree of Fellow Craft on June 12.

Mark Twain attained the degree of Master Mason in Freemasonry on July 10, 1861.

On February 3, 1863, Mark Twain used his pen name for the first time while working at the Virginia City newspaper Territorial Enterprise. He wrote a humorous travel account titled 'Letter From Carson – re: Joe Goodman; party at Gov. Johnson's; music' and signed it as 'Mark Twain'.

In December 1864, Mark Twain relocated to California to start a new job at the San Francisco Call newspaper.

Mark Twain's short story 'Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog' is published in the New York Saturday Press. The story, later known as 'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calavaras County,' becomes highly popular and boosts Twain's reputation as a writer.

In 1866, Mark Twain was sent as a correspondent to the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii) for the Sacramento Union and later gave his first lecture in California based on his trip experiences.

Mark Twain became engaged to Olivia Langdon of Elmira, New York on February 4.

Twain embarked on a five-month journey on the pleasure cruiser Quaker City, resulting in this travel literature that critiqued American and Western society.

On December 31, 1867, Mark Twain meets Olivia Langdon, and he immediately falls in love with her.

In 1868, Mark Twain embarked on an excursion trip on the steamer Quaker City to Europe and the Holy Lands. This journey later inspired his first book 'The Innocents Abroad' which recounted his experiences during the trip.

In March 1869, Mark Twain's first book 'The Innocents Abroad' is published, becoming a bestselling hit.

Mark Twain married Olivia Langdon in Elmira on February 2, 1870.

Mark Twain's son, Langdon, was born on November 7, but sadly died in infancy in 1872.

In 1870, Mark Twain marries Olivia Langdon, and their first child is born in the same year.

Mark Twain took a trip to London, England, then moved to Hartford, Connecticut in October.

Mark Twain's daughter, Susy, was born on March 19. Twain also built a large house preserved today as the Mark Twain House in Hartford, CT.

The year 1873 brings both tragedy and joy to Mark Twain's life. His daughter Susy is born, but sadly, their son Langdon passes away due to diphtheria.

In 1874, Mark Twain publishes the satiric novel The Gilded Age, which gives its name to an entire era of American history. He also introduces his successful invention, the self-pasting scrapbook.

A series of sketches published in the Atlantic Monthly showcasing Twain's disillusionment with Romanticism, which later evolved into his work 'Life on the Mississippi'.

On June 8, 1876, Mark Twain's daughter Clara was born.

On July 26, 1880, Mark Twain's daughter Jean was born.

A novel by Mark Twain published in 1881, telling the story of two boys who switch identities: a prince and a pauper. Through their adventures, the novel explores themes of social class, identity, and compassion.

In 1882, Mark Twain sent a photograph of himself in a white suit to Edward W. Bok. This act foreshadowed his later adoption of the white suit as his trademark attire.

Mark Twain publishes his memoir recounting his experiences as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River.

Mark Twain establishes his own publishing company, Charles L. Webster & Co., which unfortunately leads to financial troubles for his family.

Within a short period, Mark Twain releases two significant works, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and a biography of President Ulysses S. Grant.

In 1887, Mark Twain wrote to his friend William Dean Howells about his evolving views, influenced by life experiences. Twain reflected on how his perspectives had shifted over time, likening himself to a Sansculotte after reading Carlyle's French Revolution.

Mark Twain was awarded a Master of Arts degree from Yale University.

Mark Twain faces criticism as he publishes A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.

Mark Twain visited his sick mother in Keokuk, Iowa.

Due to financial difficulties from business failures, Mark Twain relocates his family from Hartford to Europe for more affordable living.

After facing financial difficulties, Mark Twain relocates his family to Europe to reduce living expenses.

Mark Twain wrote 60,000 words for the novel Pudd'nhead Wilson from November 12 to December 14, 1893 in a rushed manner to avoid bankruptcy. Critics noted the rushed completion as the reason for the novel's disorganized structure and plot disruptions.

Mark Twain's last novel, 'Pudd'n'head Wilson', is published as he struggles with financial issues.

In July 1895, Mark Twain embarked on a year-long around-the-world lecture tour to pay off his creditors. The journey took him across America, the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, India, Mauritius, South Africa, and back to England.

Susy Clemens, daughter of Mark Twain, passes away on August 18, 1896.

In his travelogue Following the Equator (1897), Twain expressed his views on colonization and the mistreatment of 'savages' by 'whites' in colonized lands. He criticized the injustices, robberies, humiliations, and murders inflicted on native populations by colonizers.

Mark Twain successfully paid off the last of his debts from bankruptcy, marking a significant financial milestone in his life.

In spring 1899, Mark Twain and his family moved to London from Vienna following a recommendation by Poultney Bigelow. They had been persuaded to spend the summer at an osteopathic sanatorium in Sweden.

On October 16, 1900, in the New York Herald, Mark Twain reflected on his evolving stance on imperialism, highlighting his realization that the United States' intentions in the Philippines were more about conquest than liberation. This marked a pivotal moment in Twain's anti-imperialist beliefs.

In 1901, Mark Twain criticized the actions of missionary Dr. William Scott Ament for collecting indemnities from Chinese subjects after the Boxer Uprising of 1900. Twain's response was published in the North American Review, addressing imperialism in China, South Africa, and the U.S. occupation of the Philippines.

Mark Twain made his final visit to Hannibal, where he distributed graduation diplomas to the high school graduating class. He also received an honorary Doctorate Degree from the University of Missouri and participated in the dedication of Eugene Field House in St. Louis.

Olivia Twain, who was very ill, passed away in Florence, Italy. Mark Twain sailed to Florence with her during this time.

Twain's short pacifist story, The War Prayer, was rejected by Harper's Bazaar on March 22, 1905, with the reason given that it was 'not quite suited to a woman's magazine'. The story highlighted the incompatibility of humanism and Christianity with the conduct of war.

Twain's wife Livy passes away after a two-year illness. Following her death, Twain relocates to New York City and starts working on his autobiography.

Mark Twain traveled to England to receive an honorary degree from Oxford University.

Mark Twain relocated to his final residence, Stormfield, in Redding, Connecticut. Visitors to Stormfield included notable figures like Helen Keller and Laura Hawkins Frazer.

Mark Twain's daughter Clara got married to Ossip Gabrilowitsch at Stormfield. The event took place on October 6.

During a Christmas visit to her father's estate, Jean Clemens was found dead in the bathtub, presumably due to a seizure and drowning.

Twain's youngest daughter, Jean Clemens, passes away.

Mark Twain, aged 74, dies at his residence in Redding, Connecticut.

Twain's The War Prayer, which was originally rejected by Harper's Bazaar in 1905, remained unpublished until 1916. It was later republished in the 1960s as campaigning material by anti-war activists.

In 1924, 'The Incident in the Philippines' was posthumously published, shedding light on the Moro Crater Massacre and condemning the brutal actions of the American forces. Mark Twain's writings in this publication further solidified his anti-imperialist stance.

Mark Twain's work 'Letters from the Earth', suppressed by his family for its irreverence towards religion, was finally published in 1962.

Mark Twain's autobiography, which he dictated in a non-chronological order, was published by the University of California in November 2010, 100 years after his death. The first volume became an unexpected best-seller, showcasing Twain's unique storytelling style.

Mark Twain's youngest daughter, Jean Clemens, was institutionalized in 2017 due to her severe epilepsy.

A mention of Mark Twain's book 'Tom Sawyer, Detective' and its significance, possibly related to a literary event or discussion.