Many people have heard of Mark Twain, but his real name is Samuel L. Clemens. He's one of the most influential authors in writing, and he's the guy in the white suit and a cigar (Brown, Don). His career inspired many to become authors, but in old age he faced many challenges, which influenced his ideal of becoming rich. However, he made an impact on American literature, securing him a place in the History Hall of Fame. Mark Twain had a typical childhood for his time, but his old age was very different. He was born November 30, 1835 in Florida, Missouri to Jane Clemens and John Clemens ("Biography of Mark Twain"). Growing up on the Missouri River, he faced poverty, cruelty, and boredom as a child. He wanted to free himself from boredom, so he asked Horace Bixby, a pilot, to teach him how to fly riverboats. Piloting is where Twain adopted his pseudonym. The Twain term means “two fathoms deep,” which is the depth needed for a riverboat to pass through it safely. Twain served in the Civil War for a few weeks in 1861, but then deserted. Then he continued ...