Mark Twain, born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in 1835, is one of the most influential figures in American literary history. In his lifetime, he wrote over 30 books and numerous short stories and essays that shaped the way Americans view literature today (1). His works often explored themes such as morality, social injustice, hypocrisy and adventure that resonated with readers of all ages.

Twain’s most famous work is arguably The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn , published in 1884. This novel explores the friendship between a white boy named Huck and an escaped slave named Jim as they travel down the Mississippi River on a raft (2). Through this story, Twain was able to convey powerful messages about morality and racial injustice by showing how two people from very different backgrounds could come together for a common cause. The book also provided insight into life along the river during the late 19th century which inspired many later writers such as Ernest Hemingway.