In His Autobiography the Author Mark Twain Launches Very Funny Blank
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This third volume is the most consistent one if you look for a linear narrative, not necessarily what Twain started out to produce. It follows the last roughly two years of his dictations, which in turn follow this years
With this volume the Autobiography of Mark Twain as he intended it - more or less, see below - is fully published, over a hundred years after his death. Many pieces of it had been published before in very different form, often expurgated, always out of order, in bits and pieces.This third volume is the most consistent one if you look for a linear narrative, not necessarily what Twain started out to produce. It follows the last roughly two years of his dictations, which in turn follow this years relatively closely. There is still the odd older anecdote, usually when Twain tries to give context to people he meets.
Two larger episodes stick out: His visit to England for getting his honorary degree from Oxford, which tends to drag a bit with overblown reverence, almost adoration of the European noble class. An episode with lines upon lines upon lines of boring insubstantial details about long forgotten rich bourgeois.
The second is contained partially in the Autobiography proper but the bulk is in a manuscript not having been published before this volume, the so called Ashcroft-Lyons Manuscript. It deals with a the events surrounding two of Twain's employees/acquaintances, who appear to have skimmed off his riches. With all corrections, false starts, deletions, ramblings etc. kept intact by the editors [details on why and how are found in the editorial notes, introductions, and explanations in the three volumes] it gives a good glimpse of Twain as a man and of his work process.
That brings me to the editorial work.
Some readers have been less than flattering about this edition, particularly when the first volume was published. They don't like that there is anything but genuine Twain between the title and end pages. Sure, an edition without any notes or introduction is conceivable, and was, I think, done for the first volume, the so-called 'reader's edition'. I have not had a looked into it but if it really got rid of all the explanations provided by the proper edition it cannot be much fun.
Apart from the fact that Twain all to often bends reality to suit a better tale or because he forgot/mixed up things most of the characters he talks about, many of the then big events are now at best mere footnotes to literary, political, theological history. Even specialists do not necessarily know them. Without the painstaking work of the editors the reader wouldn't know anything about them.
In some cases this may work, in others not so much. Sometimes Twain simply forgets to mention the function of a certain person he mentions - without which their actions doesn't make any sense [or the actions are not even mentioned explicitly but are obvious when we learn the profession]. In other cases, out of narrative choice, Twain introduces details giving a completely false image of the - real! - persons involved, as with ... Ah, but I shouldn't spoil the particular episode I have in mind.
Twain had two goals in mind when he started, in fits, his Autobiography. He wanted a true image of the man in all his glory and all his infamy. He was aware that nobody could honestly write about themselves, especially not when trying their hands on a linear narrative from birth to ... Hence his decision for an anecdotal approach. It is, curiously the Ashcroft-Lyons Manuscript presenting the most honest, to many possibly sobering, even horrifying image of Twain the man. This is more of a very long rant - and intended as such - than a well thought through abstract of events and feelings.
It is still open to debate what really happened between the Clemenses and the Ashcroft-Lyons although I tend to believe the core of Twain's accusations are true but he blew it out of proportion for very personal reasons. He was clearly deeply hurt by what he perceived as treason; it didn't help the accused to drag in his daughters, who he dearly loved.
His second aim was to provide his daughters with income from his books, only feasible by extending copyright on them. Hence, many a piece was intended to be stuck onto new editions of his old books. As a whole his Autobiography was to be published a hundred years after his death as not to tarnish any living person's reputation. In the case of the Ashcroft-Lyons Manuscript no publication seems to have been intended.
The three-volume Autobiography as it now stands is a treasure trove for historians and literary scientists specialised in US American Modernism of the second half of the 19th century. It shows us how not only thought and writing processes of a specific person - Samuel Langhorne Clemens - but gives a picture of the times, of how people lived [mostly prosperous people but Twain and many of his acquaintances weren't always wealthy],and what they thought about current events.
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If I were stranded on an island with only one book to read, I hope it could be this massive three-parter. The 2000 plus pages are not nearly enough to satisfy wanting to know more about Twain, or at least wanting to hear more about how he saw himself, his family, his friends, the government, and the world.
I liked and respected Twain prior to investing in these books, but now he is otherworldly to me. Good god, did he hate Roosevelt. Remember when Oprah eviscerated t
Holy crap. That was awesome.If I were stranded on an island with only one book to read, I hope it could be this massive three-parter. The 2000 plus pages are not nearly enough to satisfy wanting to know more about Twain, or at least wanting to hear more about how he saw himself, his family, his friends, the government, and the world.
I liked and respected Twain prior to investing in these books, but now he is otherworldly to me. Good god, did he hate Roosevelt. Remember when Oprah eviscerated the Million Little Pieces guy, or Jon Krakauer took a flame-thrower to Greg Mortenson?
Twain hates Roosevelt way more than that. For that, alone this is a great read.
Highly, highly recommended.
-MP
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The backstory here is very interesting, and Twain himself tells it near the end of this volume. Throughout this and previous volumes of his autobiography, Twain complains about how the copyright law was taking away the ability for his family to earn revenue off of his work, his writing, after the copyright has expired. He explains in this volume that he wants to provide for daughter Jean. His other living daughter has married and is provided for, but Jean is not. Twain's way to game the copyright law is to write additions to his autobiography, and to have his daughter release new versions of the autobiography when the copyright is nearing expiration, each new edition containing a few thousand words from this volume of stories. Quite a smart idea. But the bulk of the volume ends when Twain finds his daughter Jean dead, having drowned after an epileptic seizure. He shares his grief in his last dictated sections, his reason for writing the autobiography gone.
There is an addition to the "official" part of the autobiography. In subsequent years, Twain realized that his secretary and his housekeeper had been defrauding him. He writes a story to describe the situation, covering quite a few pages, in the same style and wit he exhibits throughout. The case never went to court, so this story was not released. It contains some interesting details on his life, his finances, and his frame of mind. He was too trusting, and you can feel him just kicking himself on being taken for so long by the people he mindlessly trusted. You learn much of Twain's character at the twilight of his life from this story.
The essays, or stories themselves are of a wide variety of topics, but all containing Twain wit and style. There are descriptions of investments, including a wireless telephone that takes messages. Twain had a great disdain for President Teddy Roosevelt, pillorying him in a few of his essays. He also took on the media. The writing was fresh, but I found it truly amazing that for a few pages, I would have believed it had been written this week – the topics were how unpresidential the President was acting, followed by a condemnation of the media, printing stories without facts in order to keep advertisers happy. Ripped from today's headlines, but written 110 years ago!
After listening to the audiobook version of all three volumes of Twain's autobiography, I got what I was initially looking for – insight into Twain, and a lot of stories told in his style. He was a great writer, and this volume reminds you of this in every section.
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In fact, his dictation stops 4 months before his death, unknowingly. Although I do suspect he somewhat knew the end was near, as he does sign off in this dictated autobiography. The entries are more sparse, partly due to traveling and partly due to a number of shocking blows in his personal life, dictated here
Still a stunning opening of his mind, with both an idiosyncratic and nuanced look at cultural issues witnessed firsthand in Europe as well his thoughts about the last two years of his life.In fact, his dictation stops 4 months before his death, unknowingly. Although I do suspect he somewhat knew the end was near, as he does sign off in this dictated autobiography. The entries are more sparse, partly due to traveling and partly due to a number of shocking blows in his personal life, dictated here after some reflection.
The death of his daughters and wife haunt this final volume, especially Jean, who died suddenly from the complicated effects of an epileptic seizure (looks like she drowned in the bathtub after suffering such a seizure). For somebody whose reputation was that of a riotous deflater of egos and sartorial dissection of American life, his most savage opinions and unveilings are personal and deeply wounded and very much a vulnerable deflation of his own ego. This third and final volume is probably the bulk of the reason he indicated it should not have been published until the past decade, 100 years after his death.
As noted by others, this volume tends to cover the last years, the most recent years for Clemens, though his does cover his early "cub reporter years" here. A full quarter (the last 100 pages) are the Ashcroft-Lyons betrayal, which perhaps is overblown but certainly wounded and preoccupied Clemens deeply as his wife and daughters began dying. Livia probably was in distinct charge of family finances and led to the blind spot of the Ashcroft-Lyons scam, which were exacerbated and enlarged in Twain's mind. Depending on the reader's stamina, it can or can not be skipped. It is worthwhile certainly for the state of Clemens's mind near the end.
I suppose this is the equivalent of a hidden manuscript discovered after a century, but its existence was known and protected by the author's wishes. An invaluable contribution to Twain studies and probably will lead to a number of new biographies correcting and enlarging the record here. If you have read volumes 1 and 2, this is required reading. Bravo. A last half decade well spent getting these honest thoughts on paper.
And yes, he hates Teddy Roosevelt like some of us hate other recent Presidents. Ouch.
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I was amazed in this volume by how much Twain did not like Theodore Roosevelt. Actually he says he liked him as a person but hated his politics. I could not help but wonder if Twain resented TR being the only man in America with a bigger personality than him and who was even more loved than him.
Perhaps the most interesting thing in all three volumes is the end of this book. Twain had a Secretary and Financial M
Literary historians are certainly indebted to those who made these volumes available.I was amazed in this volume by how much Twain did not like Theodore Roosevelt. Actually he says he liked him as a person but hated his politics. I could not help but wonder if Twain resented TR being the only man in America with a bigger personality than him and who was even more loved than him.
Perhaps the most interesting thing in all three volumes is the end of this book. Twain had a Secretary and Financial Manager whom the totally trusted. There are a couple of books and a movie that suggest that Twain had an affair with his Secretary. But these came out before this autobiography. When all of this controversy was going on Twain wrote an extended account of everything that happened which was again not to be published until long after all of those involved were dead. Twain's case seems compelling that the villans were his employees. Furthermore it seems doubtful from all that he says that he ever had an "affair" with the Secretary.
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With this third massive volume, the "Complete and Authoritative Edition" of Twain's autobiographical writings is complete. You can read my reviews of Volume 1 and Volume 2 to learn more about the best autobiography never written. The same praise applies here, as Twain brings his writings to a close within six months of his death in April 1910.
This volume showcases three aspects of Twain's mind:
1. His political concerns
We have already encountered Twain's well-docu
Review title: Goodbye, old friendWith this third massive volume, the "Complete and Authoritative Edition" of Twain's autobiographical writings is complete. You can read my reviews of Volume 1 and Volume 2 to learn more about the best autobiography never written. The same praise applies here, as Twain brings his writings to a close within six months of his death in April 1910.
This volume showcases three aspects of Twain's mind:
1. His political concerns
We have already encountered Twain's well-documented deep dislike and distain of Teddy Roosevelt in the first two volumes. But reading this venom expressed in exactly the same tone and language directed against President Trump in his first year is both powerfully prophetic and cautionary. One example of several:
Hasn't he kept up such a continual thundering from our Olympus about foot-ball and base ball . . . and all sorts of little nursery matters, that we have come to stand in fear that the first time an exigency of real importance shall arise, our thunders will not be able to attract the world's notice or exert any valuable influence upon ourselves? And so on, and so on--the list of unpresidential things, things hitherto deemed impossible, wholly impossible, measurelessly impossible for a president of the United States to do--is much too long for invoicing here. (P. 62)
The cautionary part of this tale is that while Roosevelt was almost universally loved by public option of the day, a century removed from the events history has taken a more nuanced view of his legacy. Trump is a similarly larger than life personality and lightning rod for both intense support and distain. How will history record Trump's legacy a century from now? Before you answer, apply study, thought and wisdom, and consider Twain's words here:
The bulk of any nation's opinions about its president, or its king, or its emperor, or its politics, or its religion, is without value, and not worth weighing or considering or examining. There is nothing mental in it; it is all feeling, and procured at second-hand without any assistance from the proprietor's reasoning powers. (P. 254)
Twain has succinctly explained why I believe that voting in a democracy should not be a right, it should be a privilege earned by diligent study, thought, and wisdom applied to people, politics, and religion to prevent their dominance by unthinking followers foreseen by Twain. I know my position is not popular, and not likely to be adopted and enacted into policy, but when I see the news dominated by the same defects Twain documented over a century ago, I am convinced that American democracy is in need of such a radical change.
2. His personal tragedies
Twain is usually remembered as the colloquial storyteller, witty speaker, and avuncular grandpa we all wish we had. But his personal life and personality was shaped by tragedy. We have already read in the earlier volumes of the death of his beloved wife and of his daughter Suzy while Twain and his wife were crossing the ocean from Europe to try to reach her bedside but tragically too late.
In this volume we learn of the sudden death of his best friend H. H. Rogers. And then, just months after that and months after Twain's daughter Jean had returned home to live with Twain after spending most of her recent years under institional care and experimental cures far from home for her life long diagnosis of epilepsy, she died suddenly at home after a seizure. This last tragedy, on Christmas Eve 1909, shook him to the core. He concluded his dictation with a 10-page outpouring of the most intensely personal, deep, and sad writing you will ever read. It begins: "Jean is dead! And so this Autobiography closes here. I had a reason for projecting it, three years ago: that reason perishes with her." (p. 310)
Within months, the heartbroken Twain would join his wife and three of his four children in death. He would leave us as not just humorous, witty, and avuncular, but deeply human. It is why we still read him and he still speaks to us.
3. His surprising final manuscript
The bulk of the three volumes are transcripts of dictation sessions, initially daily but by the last year of his life often separated by week-long gaps. But appended to the end of the dictations is a 100-plus page manuscript written by Twain and lost for decades until first studied in the 1970s and used as the basis for narratives of the last year's of Twain's life that started appearing in the last decade. Known as the Ashcroft-Lyon Manuscript, it is published here in its entirety for the first time, from Twain's handwritten original.
The manuscript is Twain's view of his seven-year relationship with Isabel Lyon, first his wife's and then his personal secretary, and Ralph Ashcroft, his business manager, who later married Lyon. Lyon became an integral part of the Clemens household, and Ashcroft was a trusted business advisor and friend who worked for and accompanied Twain on travels without compensation for much of their relationship. However, at the instigation of Twain's daughter Clara and his close friend H. H. Rogers, Twain began to suspect the pair of working behind the scene to divide the family and defraud him out of thousands of dollars. The manuscript tells Twain's side of first his uncritical belief in the integrity and loyalty of Ashcroft and Lyon, and then his astonished and angry discovery of the truth of the suspicions when he hired an accountant and a lawyer to investigate.
Combined with the final personal tragedy Twain would soon suffer, this manuscript reveals the full range of anger and sadness a man could suffer, and this man puts it on paper like few other writers ever have. Twain was in the end fully human.
Goodbye, old friend.
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The third volume of Twain's autobiography continues in its unorthodox style as less a narrative of his life than a series of random asides that he decided to dictate between 1907 and 1909. The almost cynical way Twain decided to "write" is autobiography is continuously amusing. Ultimately it was a scheme to extend the copyright on his written works so he'd as the copyright was about to expire
A fascinating and often hilarious series of anecdotes and observations...and Twain HATED Teddy Roosevelt.The third volume of Twain's autobiography continues in its unorthodox style as less a narrative of his life than a series of random asides that he decided to dictate between 1907 and 1909. The almost cynical way Twain decided to "write" is autobiography is continuously amusing. Ultimately it was a scheme to extend the copyright on his written works so he'd as the copyright was about to expire, he'd append 20,000 or so words of "autobiography" to the book and therefore extend the copyright another 24 years. It was so blindingly cynical as to be commendable.
The combincaiton of irascibility, self-deprecation, and egotism prevails throughout this work as Twain rails against everything from banquet speeches (hates them), honorary degrees (loves them because he didn't do anything to earn it), and his own laziness (unsurpassed in his eye). This book is like sitting at the feet of a crotchety old man who keep hitting you with "...and another thing..."
The venom Twain has for Teddy Roosevelt is both substantial and quaint in hindsight. Example: "Mr. Roosevelt is the most formidable disaster that has befallen the country since the Civil War -- but the vast mass of the nation loves him, is frantically fond of him, even idolizes him. This is the simple truth. It sounds like a libel upon the intelligence of the human race, but it isn't; there isn't anyway to libel the intelligence of the human race."
The autobiography ends with the tragic death of his daughter Jean who drowned in a bathtub following an epileptic seizure. His reminiscences after that point are heartbreaking as he recounts all the little things throughout the house that, now without an agent behind them, feel so empty. It's quite moving and an understandable, if sad, way to end the work.
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When I first read Twain of course I started with Tom and Huck and instantly put him on a pedestal as one of the greatest of American writers, a funny, wise, human writer, who couldn't do plots, but whose works could amuse, captivate and move. I was shocked to discover another side entirely to the genial humorist when I first read his Letters From The Earth, What Is Man and other of the dark, vicious and sarcastic writings from his last decade. This final decade 1900-1910, the period when he also wrote his autobiography, contains some of his most intriguing and remarkable writings, writings that to my mind put Twain in another sphere entirely, as a much more complex, difficult to define and frankly more interesting writer and human being. I feel privileged that I live at a time 100 years plus after his death when at last these writing have been published. Another reviewer here on Goodreads said that he would like this book (all three volumes) if he were stranded on a desert island, I heartily concur, there is so much in it and if I couldn't be stranded on a desert island with Twain himself this is the next best thing!
Mark Twain may be essentially a nineteenth century figure, but writing in the early years of the twentieth century, he has written what may well be the greatest book of the twenty-first century.
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We also learn the trade secrets of less lofty personages like "The Feather Duster Man" who, despite being taken for a homeless bum, is a wealthy con-artist who goes on extended jaunts to the country with a supply of five-cent wedding rings (which he engraves with random initials to make them appear to be worth more like $16.00).
However, the real piece-de-resistance in this volume is the 200 page "Ashcroft-Lyon Manuscript" which detail the attempt of Clemens' former business manager and secretary (who later married to silence each other's role in the conspiracy), not only to embezzle money, but to trick their boss into signing his company, his house and all his stocks over to the pair so that they would inherit the estate. Holy Cow, what a crazy story! If someone has not made a movie out of this they should. Clemens was a lot more generous to them than most people would have been. Most people would have sent them to prison, but because Miss Lyons (even her husband still called her that after they were married) was a woman, he hadn't the heart to do it.
This is the same secretary who, as an elderly lady living in Greenwich Village, met with Hal Holbrook and and critiqued his delivery of his famous one-man show, giving the actor pointers on how to impersonate Twain better.
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There is also a laugh on virtually every page.
The poignant passages around the passing of his daughter are simultaneously painful and full of joy.
Can't recommend this enough.
This Twain guy could go places.
Such an amazing read. As was the case with volumes 1 and 2, the book was timeless and felt like it could have been written yesterday. Only context clues date the book (45 states, 80 million people in the US, etc)There is also a laugh on virtually every page.
The poignant passages around the passing of his daughter are simultaneously painful and full of joy.
Can't recommend this enough.
This Twain guy could go places.
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A found it a pleasure to listen to his first experience with the telegraph, telephone, and eventual wireless. His many
It is as his meant it. A time capsule of the day to day in the nascent beginning of the 1900s by a man known to have artfully shared the later 1800s. He was experimenting with the copyright laws of 42 years to the enjoyment of own literary experience. Giving the nation a view into how he thought, how he treasured family, how he wrote, and how he perceived the life. He was stoic.A found it a pleasure to listen to his first experience with the telegraph, telephone, and eventual wireless. His many failed business opportunities. His strutting thought that wireless was somehow more secure as it avoided the interconnections is enduring now.
The thrifty debaucheries at selling back a man's dog or documenting the trade craft of selling high priced costume jewelry. His moral divide was strangle, but appropriate wobbly and humorous.
The forced marriage of his kitchen staff to the Dutch repair man likewise amusing in context.
In the times before radio, tv, and social media there was the speaker circuit. Many cities had a council and would coordinate and schedule the events. It was fascinating to hear of the forums rise and flailing from one of the benefactors of the fad.
Samuel Clemens also delves into the subtle difference between a story presented in oratory or written. How he had to adjust the pauses and speak to a person in the room.
Having listened to the prattles of the man regarding who he met or their complimentary of Mark Twain through the other two books - it caused grins to hear him critical of Andrew Carnegie for same foibles. But, that is as Samuel Clemens shared that he is an average man. His cynicisms of others are often hardest on his own marks of character.
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Some passages I found particularly funny (for my future reference more than anything:
July 7, 1908 discussion of work is hilarious, pages 244-245
August 23, 2021 – page 267 "dogs and burglars" ...more
Perhaps the most curious item is a 100+ page manuscript called "The Ashcroft-Lyon Manuscript ". Clemens recounts the embezzlement of funds by his business manager and secretary. Historians are split on whether his accusations are true, but the weight of evidence seems to ti
Not quite as good as Volume 2, but still brimming with golden gems of wit, insight, and wordsmithing. Twain is a bit more critical of people and things, especially Teddy Roosevelt, whom Twain humorously savages multiple times.Perhaps the most curious item is a 100+ page manuscript called "The Ashcroft-Lyon Manuscript ". Clemens recounts the embezzlement of funds by his business manager and secretary. Historians are split on whether his accusations are true, but the weight of evidence seems to tilt in Clemens favor.
I find it incredible that someone with such insight into human nature and sensitivity to the fraudulent could be so careless about personal financial management and investments.
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I am disheartened after reading; learning that Twain liked to "collect young girls" and flirt and have them over is awful. I can't support the man, even if he is dead. I own all of his books and I'm glad that the sales don't help him anymore. Good for those that want to continue learning about Twain. If you went into any of these books wanting to know the background and writing process of his books you will be SoL.
I am disheartened after reading; learning that Twain liked to "collect young girls" and flirt and have them over is awful. I can't support the man, even if he is dead. I own all of his books and I'm glad that the sales don't help him anymore. ...more
If you liked the first two, you'll like this one.
Volume 3 was an enjoyable conclusion to the series. There also seemed to be less overlap than there was between the first two volumes. Spoiler: this does end on a sour note with the untimely death of his daughter Jean, and the betrayal by Lyon and Ashcroft. The story of the latter was particularly compelling as I've witnessed a similar situation.If you liked the first two, you'll like this one.
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The downside of listening is that I could not note those great turn of phrases that he had.
Great job by the reader (I will probably always associate the reader's voice to that of MT.)
I have done it. I have listened to all three volumes. Twain's last entry, which was written the day that his daughter Jean died had me sniffling.The downside of listening is that I could not note those great turn of phrases that he had.
Great job by the reader (I will probably always associate the reader's voice to that of MT.)
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Twain grew up in Hannibal, Missouri, which would later provide the setting for Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. He apprenticed with a printer. He also work
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American author and humorist. He is noted for his novels Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885), called "the Great American Novel", and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876).Twain grew up in Hannibal, Missouri, which would later provide the setting for Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. He apprenticed with a printer. He also worked as a typesetter and contributed articles to his older brother Orion's newspaper. After toiling as a printer in various cities, he became a master riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River, before heading west to join Orion. He was a failure at gold mining, so he next turned to journalism. While a reporter, he wrote a humorous story, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," which proved to be very popular and brought him nationwide attention. His travelogues were also well-received. Twain had found his calling.
He achieved great success as a writer and public speaker. His wit and satire earned praise from critics and peers, and he was a friend to presidents, artists, industrialists, and European royalty.
However, he lacked financial acumen. Though he made a great deal of money from his writings and lectures, he squandered it on various ventures, in particular the Paige Compositor, and was forced to declare bankruptcy. With the help of Henry Huttleston Rogers, however, he eventually overcame his financial troubles. Twain worked hard to ensure that all of his creditors were paid in full, even though his bankruptcy had relieved him of the legal responsibility.
Born during a visit by Halley's Comet, he died on its return. He was lauded as the "greatest American humorist of his age", and William Faulkner called Twain "the father of American literature".
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
AKA:
Μαρκ Τουαίν (Greek)
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