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Twain is Born
Samuel Langhorne Clemens is born in Florida, Missouri, the sixth child of John Marshall and Jane Lampton Clemens. -
A Twain is Born
Samuel Langhorne Clemens is born in Florida, Missouri, the sixth child of John Marshall and Jane Lampton Clemens. -
A Twain is Born
Born in Florida, Missouri. Halley’s comet visible from earth. -
Time to Move
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. -
Time to Move
Moves to Hannibal, Missouri, which later serves as the model town for Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. -
Death of the Father
Samuel's father John Clemens dies, forcing the family into financial hardship. -
Death of the Father
Father dies, leaving family in difficult circumstances. -
Time to get a Job
Begins work as a journeyman printer with the Hannibal Gazette. Publishes first sketches. -
Time Flies
Becomes a cub-pilot for Horace Bixby. Spends next two years “learning” the river, later described in Life on the Mississippi. -
Death of a Brother
Brother Henry killed in steamboat accident on the Pennsylvania. -
Civil War
Civil War breaks out, halting river trade. Clemens serves two weeks with Confederate irregulars, then moves to Nevada with his brother Orion. -
Jumpy Frog
Writes “Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog.” Wins notice in eastern magazines. -
Ball and Chain
Engaged to Livy. The Innocents Abroad published as a subscription book. It's an instant best seller. -
Circle of Life
Moves with Livy to Hartford. Publishes Roughing It. Daughter is born. Son Langdon dies. -
New Life
Daughter Clara is born. Moves into fanciful Nook Farm house in Hartford. -
Tom Sawyer
Daughter Clara is born. Moves into fanciful Nook Farm house in Hartford. -
Huck Finn
Publishes The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in London, American edition comes out the next year. Founds own publishing company, Charles L. Webster & Co. -
Death
Continues to lecture around the world. Daughter Susie dies. -
Death of a Wife
Livy dies. Begins dictating autobiography. Moves to New York City. -
The End
Visits Bermuda for the last time. Dies at Stormfield, buried in Elmira. Halley’s comet visible from earth.
