Mark Twain Essential Notes

1. Mark Twain Essential Notes

2. 1.) What was Mark Twain’s given name at birth? Samuel Langhorne Clemens

3. 2.) When was his birthday? November 30, 1835

4. 3.) In what city and state was he born? Florida, Missouri

5. 4.) What significant astrological occurrence took place the night of his birth? Halley’s Comet

6. 5.) What was his father’s name? John Clemens 6.) What was his mother’s name? Jane Clemens

7. 7.) In 1839, his family moved from Florida, Missouri to where? Hannibal, Missouri

8. 8.) Twain’s best friend as a child was named ________, who was the son of the town drunk. Tom Blankenship

9. 9.) On his uncle’s farm, Twain met a slave who taught him spirituals, folk tales, and slave language. What was this man’s name? Uncle Daniel 10.) As a child, Twain witnessed something that became one of his strongest childhood memories. What was it? Slaves in chains, ready for trade

10. 11.) He began his first job at age ____ as a _________________. 14; printer’s apprentice

11. 12.) Who was Twain’s boss at his first job? His older brother, Orion Clemens

12. 13.) At what age did Twain leave home? 17 14.) In 1857, Twain boarded a steamboat called the _______________ bound for New Orleans. He decided to become a _____________, which became a reality in ___________. Paul Jones; Steamboat Pilot; 1859

13. 15.) Twain’s younger brother, __________, joined him on the steamboats, but he _____ at the age of _____ when the boilers on his boat exploded. Henry Clemens; Died; 19

14. 16.) “Mark Twain” literally means what? 12 feet deep; “Safe Water”

15. 17.) After the Civil War broke out, Twain followed his brother west to __________. Nevada 18.) What three things did he take with him? Pipes, 5 pounds of tobacco, a pistol

16. 19.) How long did it take to get to Nevada? Three Weeks 20.) Twain tried to make money doing this but was a complete failure. What was it? Gold Mining 21.) Name of the first newspaper he wrote for? How much did he earn per week?

17. 22.) On what date did Twain officially take on his pseudonym? February 3, 1863 23.) Twain was jailed once for what? Public Drunkenness 24.) When he had nothing else, he clung to what? A ten cent piece 25.) True or False: Twain once attempted suicide? True, unfortunately

18. 26.) What was the title of his first short story? “Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog” 27.) His first night on stage, how much did he earn? $400 28.) Twain fell in love with ____________. Olivia Langdon; Livy 29.) Did she accept his first proposal? No!

19. 30.) How many letters did he write to her? 184 31.) In what year were they married? 32.) Their first child was a ____ named ________ who was always sickly. 1870 Boy; Langdon

20. 33.) Where did the Clemens’ move in 1871? Hartford, CT 34.) Their second child was a ______ named ________ , and they called her _________. Girl; Olivia Susan; Susy 35.) What happened to their first child and only son? He died of diptheria

21. 36.) What huge undertaking did the family begin in 1873? Building a house 37.) In 1874, their third child was born. Her name was ________. Clara 38.) Fourth child? Jean

22. 39.) Twain had to return to the lecture circuit because of his _______. Debt 40.) Where did the Clemens family spend their summers? Quarry Farm, home of Livy’s sister Susan 41.) Who was “Aunt Rachel”? Mary Ann Cord

23. 42.) What two major novels is Twain known for writing? 43.) “All right then, I’ll go to _______.” Hell 44.) What African American student did Twain sponsor at Yale? Warner T. McGuinn

24. 45.) Which child was always Twain’s favorite? Susy 46.) Twain invested money in two major ways: His publishing company A newly designed printing press 47.) By 1892, Twain was _______ in debt. ______________ loaned him ________, but he ultimately filed for _______________. $200,000 Henry Rogers $8,000 bankruptcy

25. 48.) In order to pay off his debts, Twain began doing what again? Lectures 49.) What happened to Susie Clemens? She died of spinal meningitis on Aug. 18, 1896 at the age of 24. She was in her childhood home, the Hartford House, when she passed away.

26. 1900 50.) By the fall of ______, all of Twain’s debts were paid. 51.) Livy was diagnosed with what ailment? Heart trouble 52.) She was only allowed to see Twain for how long each day? Two minutes 53.) Livy died on June 5, 1904 while Twain was playing the piano downstairs.

27. 54.) What ailment had Jean struggled with her whole life? Epilepsy 55.) Twain received an honorary doctorate degree from where? Oxford University 56.) What two items were saved from the Hartford House when it was sold? The mantle Sam and Livy’s bed

28. 57.) Twain referred to his chest pains as his ____________________. “tobacco heart” 40 58.) He cut back from ____ cigars a day to ____. 4 59.) When Jean returned home to live, what happened to her? While taking a bath on the morning of Christmas Eve 1909, she had a seizure and drowned.

29. 60.) On what date did Twain die? April 21st, 1910 What was significant about that date? Halley’s Comet