Several recent pieces of news have put Mark Twain, perhaps the greatest American literary figure ever, back into headlines. For starters, Tina Fey has won the Mark Twain Award For American Humor. It’s a prestigious award, to be sure. However, the other bit of news is perhaps more interesting. After a century after his death, Mark Twain’s autobiography will finally be making a release.
Tina Fey wins Mark Twain prize
The 2010 Mark Twain Award For American Humor has been awarded to Tina Fey. The prize is granted by the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, beginning in 1998. The list of honorees is distinguished. Some past winners include Richard Pryor, Billy Crystal, Steve Martin, and George Carlin. Fey will be the second woman to receive the award, along with Lily Tomlin. Tina Fey deserves the award, but it’s the other Mark Twain news I’d dole out some instant cash to get the inside scoop on.
Twain ordered the 100-year wait
As he neared his death, Mark Twain put into his will that his memoirs would not be released until 100 years after he died. Well, Mark Twain (Samuel Longhorn Clemens) died April 21, 1910. That means it has been 100 years, and it’s time to go to the presses. His memoirs have been in storage at UC Berkeley, according to CBS. Some editing is likely necessary, but his autobiography may be out by the end of the year.
Why the hundred year wait?
Mark Twain loved being a public figure, and he didn’t want his reputation to suffer. Some of his last works, such as The Mysterious Stranger and Letters From Earth had to be published well over a decade after his death to the work being incredibly dark. The books were actually published against his daughter’s wishes, pieced together by his editor. That all said, it’s a great honor for Tina Fey, and I’m sure his autobiography will be an interesting read, to say the least.
Citations:
Mark Twain
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain
CBS
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/05/24/national/main6514831.shtml
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