Praised as the Greatest American Humorist of his age, as well as the Father of American Literature, Samuel Langhorne Clemens was a popular American novelist, best known by his pen name, Mark Twain. Clemens was a friend to various artists, presidents and European royalty. And now, Clemens’ memoirs are finally being published.

Towards the end of his life, the author left written instructions that his memoirs should not be published until now, 100 years after his death, which was on April 21, 1910. Because of this, the 5,000 pages of his unedited memoirs were kept in a vault in the University of California, Berkeley until recently. The university is scheduled to release the first volume of his this manuscript in November of this year. The planned trilogy will consist of about two million words.
Some scholars attribute the delay to the author not wanting to offend any of his friends that might still be alive. Others say that Clemens wanted to talk freely about issues such as religion and politics, and the peace of mind of not having his reputation tarnished for a century to come may have allowed him the courage to do so. Yet others say that his opinions may have tarnished his reputation as a great American.

Indeed, Michael Shelden, who gave an account of Mark Twain’s final years in the biographical Man In White, said that Clemens was critical of president Theodore Roosevelt. He also mentioned that in the autobiography, “… [Clemens] questions the imperial mission of the US in Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.”

Whatever the case, these are exciting times for all who have had their imaginations captured by the author of classics known as Mark Twain. These memoirs will undoubtedly be able to shed some light on the witty and candid American novelist.

View a previously written post by Mouli Cohen about arts and culture.