Langhorne Clemens (1835 – 1910),better known by the pen name Mark Twain, was an American humanist, humorist, satirist, lecturer and writer.

Mark Twain is most noted for his novels Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which has since been called the Great American Novel, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

During his lifetime, Twain became a friend to presidents, artists, leading industrialists and European royalty. Twain enjoyed immense public popularity, and his keen wit and incisive satire earned him praise from both critics and peers.

American author William Faulkner called Twain "the father of American literature."