2011 Mark Twain Single "Forever" Postage Stamp - MNH, OG - Scott 4545

Samuel Clemens' family moved to the banks of the mighty Mississippi River when he was just a child. Clemens (1835-1910) developed a love for the river that would stay with him his entire life. As a young man, Clemens met a steamboat pilot named Horace Bixby. That's when he decided to learn the craft, becoming one of the best pilots on the river. As an author, Clemens took his pen name from his experiences on the water. The Mississippi River is difficult to navigate. To "mark twain" meant the water had been measured and was a safe depth. In 1863, Clemens began writing as Mark Twain.