# Orion Clemens — The Autobiography of Mark Twain character guide > Orion Clemens in The Autobiography of Mark Twain by Mark Twain. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Uncle Orion Clemens, Orion **First appearance:** 0004-volume-i-the-tennessee-land ## Who they are Mark Twain's older brother, whose sober judgment and steady hand become both a foil and a lifeline for the younger Clemens's wilder schemes. ## In the story ### [The Autobiography of Mark Twain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/chapters/the-autobiography-of-mark-twain) Twain's older brother, mentioned in the context of family history. ### [The Tennessee Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/chapters/volume-i-the-tennessee-land) Elder brother who borrowed money to buy a newspaper while waiting for the land to sell. ### [Early Years in Florida, Missouri](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/chapters/volume-i-early-years-in-florida-missouri) Mentioned as part of the Clemens family, though not directly named in this excerpt. ### [Early Days](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/chapters/volume-i-early-days) Mentioned in the context of the Tennessee land; Twain notes that Orion sold his share for $250 in 1894. ### [Jane Lampton Clemens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/chapters/volume-i-jane-lampton-clemens) Twain's brother, whose death at age ten is recalled as a vivid early memory of his mother's grief. ### [Chapters Added in Florence 1904](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/chapters/volume-i-chapters-added-in-florence) Twain's brother, referenced in discussions of family and early experiences. ### [Notes on “Innocents Abroad”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/chapters/volume-i-notes-on-innocents-abroad) Mentioned indirectly as part of Twain's family; referenced in the context of surplus relatives. ### [New York, Monday, February 12, 1906](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/chapters/volume-ii-new-york-monday-february-12-1906) Mentioned as Henry in the narrative; Twain's younger brother who was obedient and often reported on Twain. ### [New York, Tuesday, February 13, 1906](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/chapters/volume-ii-new-york-tuesday-february-13-1906) Mentioned as Mark Twain's brother who was appointed Secretary of the State of Nevada. ### [Wednesday, March 28, 1906](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/chapters/volume-ii-wednesday-march-28-1906) Mark Twain's older brother, described as a curious compound of eagerness, gloom, and impulsiveness; his adventure at Doctor Meredith's house is recounted. ### [Thursday, March 29, 1906](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/chapters/volume-ii-thursday-march-29-1906) Struggles as a lawyer and newspaper publisher; marries and moves to Keokuk; supported by Twain. ### [Monday, April 2, 1906](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/chapters/volume-ii-monday-april-2-1906) Served as Acting Governor, built a $12,000 house, and profited from a record-keeping law passed with Mark Twain's help. ### [Thursday, April 5, 1906](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/chapters/volume-ii-thursday-april-5-1906) Twain's brother; loses the nomination for Secretary of State due to a spasm of virtue, fails as a lawyer, and later quashes a $200,000 land deal because of temperance scruples. ### [Orion Clemens Resumed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/chapters/volume-ii-orion-clemens-resumed) Twain's brother, whose impracticality and virtue spasms repeatedly thwart financial opportunities, including the Tennessee land sale and a political nomination. ### [Friday, April 6, 1906](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/chapters/volume-ii-friday-april-6-1906) Twain's brother; subject of extended reminiscence about his failed inventions, political eccentricities, and death in 1898. ### [Friday, April 6, 1906](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/chapters/volume-ii-friday-april-6-1906) Orion's wife (unnamed in excerpt); described as a good woman who tried to make a boardinghouse succeed. ### [Orion Resumed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/chapters/volume-ii-orion-resumed) Twain's brother, subject of the chapter; his failed ventures, eccentric politics, and death are described. ### [Wednesday, April 11, 1906](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/chapters/volume-ii-wednesday-april-11-1906) Mentioned in passing as having received an accidental title of 'Governor' through Governor Nye's absences. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/characters/orion_clemens - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/characters