Curious logo

Dear Curious Readers, No new content will be published for the next few months due to website changes.

 
Image depicting Was 'Tom Sawyer' really the first novel ever written on the typewriter?

Was ‘Tom Sawyer’ the first novel ever written on the typewriter?

 

Recommended for Middle Grades

The American writer Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) claimed to be the first author to use the typewriter. Twain is famous for books such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Who was Mark Twain?

Mark Twain was an American author. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest American writers of all time.

Twain wrote in his 1904 autobiography that his first novel written on a typewriter—the first typewritten novel at all—was Tom Sawyer.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer was written in 1876. In the novel, a young boy named Tom Sawyer has several adventures, often with his friend, Huckleberry Finn. The book is set in the 1840s in the fictional town of St.Petersburg.

Originally a commercial failure, the book ended up being the best selling of Twain’s works during his lifetime.

However, some historical facts dispute what Twain said. Tom Sawyer was published from a handwritten copy, not one written on a typewriter. This handwritten copy is preserved even today.

Life on the Mississippi

But again, Mark Twain did submit a typewritten novel called Life on the Mississippi. This one was published after Tom Sawyer. This book is the first-ever submitted to a publisher as a typewritten novel.

So, you could say Twain was partly right.

Similar Stories

Image depicting Curious Times Logo

Curious Times is a leading newspaper and website for kids. We publish daily global news aligned to your learning levels (also as per NEP 2020): Foundational, Preparatory (Primary), Middle and Senior. So, check out the News tab for this. We bring kids’ favourite Curious Times Weekly newspaper every weekend with top news, feature stories and kids’ contributions. Check out daily JokesPokeTongue TwistersWord of the Day and Quote of the Day, kids need it all the time.

ME – My Expressions at Curious Times is your place to get your work published, building your quality digital footprint. And it is a good way to share your talent and skills with your friends, family, school, teachers and the world. Thus, as you will step into higher educational institutes your published content will showcase your strength.

Events, Quizzes and Competitions bring students from over 5,000 schools globally to participate in the 21st-Century themes. Here schools and students win certificates, prizes and recognition through these global events.

Sign-up for your school for FREE!

Communicate with us: WhatsAppInstagramFacebook, YoutubeTwitter, and LinkedIn.

  (Please login to give a Curious Clap to your friend.)

Share your comment!

To post your comment Login/Signup