Biography

He was born in a year when Halley's Comet appeared (1835), and died the year the comet returned (1910).

When he proposed to Olivia Langdon, her father wanted to be sure of his good character. Since they had no friends in common, Twain offered the names of several friends he had made out west. Langdon wrote to ask them what they thought of the match. All wrote back condemning Twain as a louse and a freeloader; two predicted that he would fill a drunkard's grave. Twain bitterly remarked that apparently he didn't have any friends. "Then I'll be your friend myself," Langdon said. "Take the girl. I know you better than they do." Langdon was right, for Twain proved to be a faithful and loving husband to Olivia.

Once lived in a cabin on a spot of land called Jackass Hill.

Was the first person to write a novel entirely on a typewriter ("Huckleberry Finn").

Was good friends with Serbian-American scientist Nikola Tesla.

I have been told that Wagner's [Richard Wagner] music is better than it sounds.

[his definition of a "classic"] Something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read.

Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to.

The English are mentioned in the Bible: "Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth".

As to the adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.