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Sam and Livy clemens. By Aashish Jaswal. The langdons. Were an influential family in Elmira Were also very wealthy because Jervis Langdon had a successful timber and coal business Olivia’s upbringing would influence Sam’s writing later on
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Sam and Livy clemens By Aashish Jaswal
The langdons • Were an influential family in Elmira • Were also very wealthy because Jervis Langdon had a successful timber and coal business • Olivia’s upbringing would influence Sam’s writing later on • Olivia’s mother was very involved socially, with charities and such • She was also an abolitionist
Livy’s early life and education • Livy attended a female seminary school as a child • She attended Elmira Female College at the age of 12 • At the age of 14, she became ill, and could not go to school • During years of treatment, Livy still wanted to be educated, so she had tutors • Today, we know that Livy suffered from tuberculosis of the spine, or Pott’s Disease • She was cured in New York City
A love story • Sam Clemens became acquainted with the Langdons through the Quaker City boat • He met Charles, Livy’s younger brother on the ship, and was invited to dinner in New York City with the Langdons • Supposedly, Charles showed Clemens a statue of Olivia, and Clemens instantly fell in love with her • Clemens was invited to the Langdon’s home in Elmira during the summer of 1868 • Eventually, Olivia began to love Clemens also, and they got married
A love story continued • It was a very equal marriage • Their home, and their land was in Olivia’s name • Olivia was also very involved in Twain’s writing, as she would edit and leave suggestions for his writing • Sam would not usually accept her suggestions though • The Clemens children would sit by the fire and listen to their mother read their father’s stories to them, and they would kind of review them in a way
The Clemens’ Family life • Olivia was the primary caregiver, and lead the working of the household • She was the emotional backbone of the entire family even though she was not very healthy • Livy was well respected by everyone that she met because of how well she held the house together • She refused to live in the Hartford home any longer after the death of their daughter Susy • The family went in to a very bad time, and nobody smiled for a long time • It was made worse by Jean’s epilepsy
Livy’s deteriorating health and her death • The family moved to Florence, Italy, where it was thought that the nice climate would be good for Livy’s health • Clara had to make sure that Livy didn’t know about Jean’s epilepsy, and that Jean did not know about Livy’s illness • This had a negative effect on Clara, and she suffered a lot • She died June 5, 1904, and this had a terrible impact on the family • It was hard for them to go back to the everyday life, and writing for Sam