Samuel Clemens, better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, humorist, and lecturer. Growing up on the banks of the Mississippi River, he drew on his experiences as a steamboat pilot to write 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' and 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.' The latter is often called the 'Great American Novel' for its use of regional vernacular and its unflinching look at race and identity in America. Twain was also a sharp social critic, coining the term 'The Gilded Age' to describe the corruption and inequality of late 19th-century America. Known for his white suits and quick wit, Twain remains a central figure in literature, credited with creating a distinctly American voice that broke away from European literary traditions.