Early Fragments
Author and narrator, reflecting on the nature of biography and the inner life.
The Autobiography of Mark Twain
The author and narrator, beginning his autobiographical dictation.
The Tennessee Land
Narrator and son of the land purchaser, reflecting on the family's enduring hope in the Tennessee land.
Early Years in Florida, Missouri
Narrator and subject of the chapter, born in Florida, Missouri in 1835.
The Grant Dictations
Narrator and publisher of Grant's memoirs; describes his role in the dictation process.
The Chicago G.A.R. Festival
Narrator and speaker at the banquet, delivering the 'Babies' toast.
Grant and the Chinese
Narrator and participant in the events, introduces Yung Wing to Grant and later brings Rev. Twichell to seek Grant's help for Chinese students.
A Call with W. D. Howells on General Grant
Narrator and advocate for Grant's memoirs; arranges the meeting with Howells and Grant.
About General Grant's "Memoirs"
Narrator and advocate for Grant; negotiates the publishing contract and expresses outrage at the Century Company's offer.
Gerhardt and the Grant Bust
Narrator and benefactor to Gerhardt; arranges the meeting with the Grant family.
The Reverend Doctor N⸺ Visits General Grant
Dictates the chapter and offers critical commentary on Reverend N⸺'s reports.
The Machine Episode
Narrator and investor in Paige's typesetting machine, reflecting on his financial risks and losses.
Chapters Begun in Vienna
The author and narrator, dictating his autobiography in Vienna.
Early Days
Narrator and central figure; recalls his childhood summers at his uncle's farm and his family's history with the Tennessee land.
Jane Lampton Clemens
The author, reflecting on his mother's life and character from his childhood memories.
Playing "Bear"—Herrings—Jim Wolf and the Cats
Narrates his boyhood experiences in Hannibal, including his bear costume rehearsal and his guilty reactions to local tragedies.
Jim Wolf and the Cats
Narrator and young instigator of Jim's roof adventure; later a struggling writer in New York and a lecturer in London.
Macfarlane
The narrator, aged twenty, living in a Cincinnati boardinghouse and spending evenings with Macfarlane.
Old Lecture Days in Boston
Narrator and lecturer who began lecturing in 1866, participated in the Boston lecture circuit, and observed both Nasby's success and De Cordova's failure.
Ralph Keeler
Narrator and friend of Keeler; recalls their time together in Boston and on lecture tours.
Beauties of the German Language
Lecturer and narrator, receives the clipping and comments on German language.
A Viennese Procession
Narrator and observer of the Viennese procession; reflects on his age and past experiences with processions.
Comment on Tautology and Grammar
Author and narrator, expressing his views on tautology and grammar.
Private History of a Ms. That Came to Grief
Narrator and author of the introduction; proud of his English style and critical of Mr. X's editing.
The Letter
Author of the letter; delivers a biting critique of an editor's corrections to his writing on Joan of Arc.
Chapters Added in Florence 1904
The author and narrator, reflecting on his autobiography and life in Florence.
Author's Note
The author and narrator, who describes his innovative method for writing his autobiography.
Villa Quarto
Narrator and current occupant of Villa Quarto, describing the house and its history.
Villa Quarto (Continued)
Narrator and observer, describing the villa and his search for a suitable home.
A Memory of John Hay
Narrator and subject of the chapter; recalls his visit with John Hay and his struggles with autobiography.
Notes on “Innocents Abroad”
Author and narrator, reflecting on his younger self and the writing of 'The Innocents Abroad.'
Stevenson, Aldrich, etc.
Narrator and participant in the conversation with Stevenson.
Henry H. Rogers
Narrator and close friend of Henry H. Rogers; reflects on their eleven-year friendship and Rogers's influence on his financial affairs.
Henry H. Rogers (Continued)
Narrator reflecting on his financial failure, debt repayment, and gratitude toward Rogers.
Interval of Two Years
Dictating his autobiography, reflecting on the interval of two years.
January 9, 1906
Dictates his thoughts on the autobiography project and recalls his time in Nevada.
New York, January 10, 1906
Narrator and autobiographer, reflecting on the nature of autobiography and commenting on current events.
New York, January 12, 1906
Narrator and host of the gathering; reflects on the club members' speaking styles and the cigar incident.
The Prophetic Dream
Dictates his prophetic dream about his brother Henry's death and recounts the events of the Pennsylvania disaster.
New York, January 15, 1906
Narrator and central figure; reflects on his dream about his brother's death and his conversation with Doctor Burton.
Mrs. Morris's Illness Takes a Serious Turn
Dictating his autobiography, reflecting on news vs. history, and recalling his collaboration with William Swinton.
New York, January 15th, Continued
Dictates his autobiography, reflecting on his method and recounting the story of John Malone.
About General Sickles
Narrator and observer of General Sickles' behavior.
New York, January 16th, Continued
Narrator and observer; reflects on General Sickles, Twichell's story, and proposes a magazine idea.
New York, Thursday, January 18, 1906
Narrator and observer, reflecting on funerals and political events.
About Dueling
Narrator and former city editor; describes his lack of desire to duel and his accidental escape from a duel with Laird.
Mark Twain
Narrator and central figure; attends Carnegie Hall meeting, reflects on past speeches and encounters.
The Character of Man
The author and narrator, delivering a philosophical diatribe on human nature.
New York, Wednesday, January 24, 1906
Narrator and central figure; describes his political independence and refusal to vote for Blaine.
New York, Thursday, February 1, 1906
Twain narrates the story and expresses exasperation at Twichell's Republican voting, but ultimately justifies it as a family duty.
New York, February 1, 1906
Narrator reflecting on his marriage and household.
New York, Friday, February 2, 1906
Narrator and grieving father, reflecting on Susy's life and death.
New York, Monday, February 5, 1906
Narrator and reminiscing father, recalling Dr. John Brown and Susy's childhood.
Playing 'The Prince and the Pauper'
Recalls the home performance of 'The Prince and the Pauper' and his role as Miles Hendon.
Wednesday, February 7, 1906
Narrates the chapter, reflecting on critical reviews and his daughter's biography.
New York, Thursday, February 8, 1906
Narrator and subject of Susy's biography; reflects on his quirks, his role as a romancer, and his experience with the burglar alarm.
New York, Friday, February 9, 1906
Dictates the chapter, reflecting on Susy's biography, his editing habits, and the bathroom language incident.
New York, Monday, February 12, 1906
Narrates and reflects on his childhood, Susy's biography, and his relationship with his mother and brother Henry.
New York, Tuesday, February 13, 1906
Narrates the chapter, reflecting on his past reforms, his Cadet of Temperance experience, and his first meeting with Livy Langdon.
New York, Wednesday, February 14, 1906
Narrates the story of his accident and courtship of Livy.
New York, Thursday, February 15, 1906
Narrates the chapter, reading from Susy's biography and reflecting on his nursing duties during Jervis Langdon's final illness.
Friday, February 16, 1906
Narrator reflecting on Susy's biography and his own past business decisions.
Tuesday, February 20, 1906
Narrator reflecting on his past, his meeting with Anson Burlingame, and the Hornet disaster reporting.
New York, Wednesday, February 21, 1906
Narrator and author, recalling a conversation with his father-in-law about contracts and business wisdom.
New York, Thursday, February 22, 1906
Narrator and central figure, reflecting on past memories and recent events.
Friday, February 23, 1906
Narrates the chapter; is appointed to negotiate with Henry W. Sage and is praised for his supposed business talents.
Monday, February 26, 1906
Narrates the chapter, describing his experiences with Authors' Readings and his visit to General Grant.
Monday, March 5, 1906
Narrates the chapter; recalls heedless behavior, Livy's warnings, and the family's signal system.
Tuesday, March 6, 1906
Narrates his visit to Governor Cleveland, his mugwump principles, and his letter to Baby Ruth Cleveland to help Mr. Mason.
Wednesday, March 7, 1906
Narrator and protagonist; recounts the trip to Vassar with Susy, his opinions on the college president, and his fondness for girls.
Thursday, March 8, 1906
Dictates his response to the letter about Huckleberry Finn's original, reflects on boyhood memories, and recounts the story of the sextons' reforms.
Friday, March 9, 1906
Narrator reminiscing about his schoolmates in Hannibal, Missouri, sixty years ago.
Monday, March 12, 1906
Delivers a scathing commentary on the Moro massacre, contrasting it with other military engagements and criticizing the press and President Roosevelt.
Wednesday, March 14, 1906
Author and narrator, expressing outrage at the Moro massacre and criticizing President Roosevelt and General Wood.
Monday, March 5, 1906
Narrates the chapter, reflecting on Patrick's funeral, his speech, and his friendships.
Friday, March 16, 1906
Narrates memories of his Hannibal childhood, schoolmates, and the measles epidemic.
Wednesday, March 21, 1906
Dictates the chapter, reflecting on mental telegraphy, his correspondence with Jock Brown, and his experiences with the Players' Club.
Friday, March 22, 1906
Narrates the chapter, confesses guilt over not taking Livy to see Dr. John Brown, and recalls meeting Lewis Carroll and other literary figures.
Friday, March 23, 1906
Narrator and recipient of oddly addressed letters; reminisces about Harriet Beecher Stowe and her husband.
Monday, March 26, 1906
Dictates his autobiography, discusses its system with Howells, and reflects on newspaper stories and his past.
Tuesday, March 27, 1906
Narrates his past in Nevada and his scheme for securing employment without letters of introduction.
Wednesday, March 28, 1906
Narrator and observer, reflecting on his brother Orion's personality and family history.
Thursday, March 29, 1906
Narrates his early life as a printer's apprentice, pilot, and traveler; recalls supporting Orion and his own adventures.
Friday, March 30, 1906
Presides at the meeting for the adult blind, writes a letter supporting the Russian revolution, and recounts his first meeting with Helen Keller.
Monday, April 2, 1906
Narrates the chapter, describing his early journalism on the Virginia City Enterprise and his role in the legislature.
Wednesday, April 4, 1906
Narrator and central figure; attends receptions, reflects on his autobiography, and comments on the Nast sale.
Thursday, April 5, 1906
Narrator and central figure; reflects on the Tennessee land, his brother Orion's misfortunes, and composes a cablegram for Ellen Terry.
Orion Clemens Resumed
Narrator and financial supporter of Orion; reflects on his brother's failures and the family's Tennessee land.
Friday, April 6, 1906
Narrator; meets Etta Booth in Washington Square; reflects on his house and his brother Orion's life.
Orion Resumed
Narrator; reflects on his suggestion that Orion write an autobiography and on his own inability to include shameful incidents.
Monday, April 9, 1906
Dictates the chapter, reflects on the censorship of his books, and corresponds with Asa Don Dickinson.
Tuesday, April 10, 1906
Narrator and central figure; reflects on letters about Huck Finn, reads White's autobiography, and recounts the Fiske-Cornell lawsuit and his employment scheme.
Wednesday, April 11, 1906
Narrator and central figure; reflects on his first New York lecture and the fame it brought.
Endnotes
Author and subject of the endnotes; provides corrections and remarks.
