A Brief Biography of Mark Twain - Essay Example

From this research, it is clear that despite his apparent success, Mark Twain sought higher standing and increased wealth, especially as it concerned the eastern states. After a brief correspondence and engagement, Twain married Olivia Langdon of New York in 1870. He lived with Olivia in Buffalo from 1869 to 1871, during which time tragedy once again struck Twain, as their first born son Langdon died of diphtheria at two years of age. They would go on to have three daughters, two of which who would also die under tragic circumstances at a relatively young age (before 30).

In 1976 Twain published the masterful The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, demonstrating that he had not lost touch with his Missouri roots despite his risen status and wealth. Between this time and the time he published Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884), Twain appeared his high-browed associated with tales such as The Prince and the Pauper in 1881. Sadly, the last fifteen to twenty years of Twain’s life were extremely troubled. He faced financial ruin from bad investments and a failed publication house (Kirk 29) and suffered from depression from the time of his daughter Susy’s death of meningitis in 1896 until his death in 1910.

Twain’s death occurred 6 years after the passing of his wife Olivia while he was lecturing abroad (Cox 10). At the time of his passing Twain was considered a national treasure and he would go on to be credited by throngs of professionals as the father of American literature.