Mark Twain, born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, was 11 years old when his father, John Marshall Clemens, passed away. His father died on March 24, 1847, which significantly impacted Twain’s life and shaped his future writings.
The loss of his father at such a young age meant that Twain had to take on more responsibilities within his family, contributing to their support. This experience of loss and the responsibilities that followed are themes that often appeared in Twain’s later works, reflecting the complexities of family life and the struggles of growing up.