Mark Twain aka Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835-1910) was one of the best known American writers, and is considerd the greatest humorist USA had produced. William Faulkner called him "the father of American literature". He wrote many novels, short stories, travel stories and essays. His best known novels include The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and its sequel, the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884), often called "The Great American Novel". Other well known novels include The Prince and the Pauper (1881) and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1889).

Twain was was born in Florida, Missouri and raised in Hannibal, Missouri, which later provided the setting for Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. He worked as a typesetter, journalist, and later became a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River. His first important humorous story, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County", was published in 1865. His last work was the "Autobiography of Mark Twain" dictated in the last years of his life.

Twain was fascinated with science and scientific inquiry. He developed a close and lasting friendship with Nikola Tesla, and the two spent much time together in Tesla's laboratory.

Twain's wit and satire, earned praise from critics and peers, and he was a friend to presidents, artists, industrialists, and European royalty.

Read more about Mark Twain on Wikipedia.