Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Mark Twain

Today marks the death of Mark Twain, he was a writer and humorist. He died today at the age of 74 in 1910. In 1909 he predicted his death saying "I came in with Halley's Comet in 1835, it is coming next year and I expect to go out with it." And he did.

He was often referred to as the 'Dean of American Literature' and as we all know he wrote many novels, stories and articles. The most famous was The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. But what endears him to my heart is this story:

In 1897 a newspaper reported that Mark Twain aka Samuel Clemens had passed away. In hearing of this report, Mark Twain sent a telegram to the newspaper. "The report of my death," he wired "Is greatly exaggerated!"

Newspapers are famous for stating an obit when the person is still alive. In the 1930's one of the higher ups in Canada opened his paper and saw his own obit. In 1939 the same thing happened to my father (my father died in 1959) but I have a copy of one 1939 newspaper of my dad's obit with my Uncle Frances' picture. My Uncle Frances died in 1947.

So, to all the newspapers who have printed wrong obit's I say to them The report of these deaths are greatly exaggerated!

Have a good week, everyone. :)

2 comments:

Betty said...

I'm a fan of Mark Twain. I learned to really appreciate him when I went to see Hal Holbrook in his one man show, "Mark Twain Tonight".

Looking to the Stars said...

Betty, what a great treat to see Hal Holbrook perform as Mark Twain! I bet he did a fantastic job.