Samuel Langhome Clemens (1835-1910), better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, humourist, entrepreneur, publisher and lecturer. Twain grew up in Hannibal, Missouri, the influence of which can be seen in his novels. His wit and satire, in prose and in speech, earned praise from critics and peers, and he was a friend to presidents, artists, industrialists, and European royalty. His first success as a writer came when his humourous tall tale The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County was published on November 18, 1865, in the New York weekly The Saturday Press, bringing him national attention. His famous works were The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.