
Born in a modest Maine farm and raised in the rugged Midwest, this celebrated humorist grew up with a fierce curiosity for the written word. After a brief stint sweeping a lawyer’s office, he spent idle moments devouring whatever books he could find, discovering that each reread felt as fresh as the first. By his mid‑twenties he was teaching a one‑room school in Wisconsin, earning just enough to keep a roof over his head. Those early hardships forged a generous spirit and a keen eye for the absurdities of everyday life.
Turning to journalism, he quickly earned a reputation for fearless, independent reporting that delighted readers across the frontier. From a modest newspaper run out of a livery stable to a postmaster’s desk that captured national attention, his witty prose and vivid storytelling opened doors to larger stages. A move to New York cemented his place among America’s great humorists, leaving a legacy of warmth, honesty, and a love of language that still resonates today.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (195K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Widger from page images generously provided by the Internet Archive
Release date
2016-05-02
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1850–1896
Remembered for his sharp, easygoing humor, this 19th-century American writer turned newspaper columns and lecture-hall performances into popular entertainment. His comic histories and witty sketches helped make him one of the best-known humorists of his day.
View all books