Mark Twain, Life on the Mississippi

Max Lester Loges (Lamar University)

Ed. by Stephen E. Meats, Pittsburg State University
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 3.2.2: American (US) Writing and Culture: The Nineteenth Century, 1783-1900.
Vol. editors: Emory Elliott (University of California, Riverside), Stephen E. Meats (Pittsburg State University)

Dates

First circulation or publication 1883

Places

United States (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Novel

Resources

Given the facts of Sam Clemens’ early life – his growing up only two blocks from the steamship landing in Hannibal and his pursuing a career as a pilot for several years – he was probably predestined to write Life on the Mississippi (LOTM). However, the opportunity to begin the project came on October 24, 1874 when he received a request from William Dean Howells to submit a literary piece for the Atlantic. Clemens, at first, declined the invitation, but later in the day he took a long walk with his pastor, Joseph Twichell. During the walk Clemens recounted many stories about his experiences as a pilot on the Mississippi, and Twichell suggested that they would be an excellent subject for a magazine article. When …

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2609 words

Citation: Loges, Max Lester. "Life on the Mississippi". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 20 May 2013 [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=3959, accessed 21 November 2024.]

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