Mark Twain

From time to time I recall just how compelling a figure I find Mark Twain to be. Sometimes called America's first authentic author, he symbolizes the American spirit, his life an imperfect portrait of our distinct sense of adventure, perseverance, and originalism. He lived in arguably one of the most interesting periods in American history, fully embracing not only the adventure offered in the American West, but those presented around the globe. Raised in a poor family, he held an array of jobs to sustain himself, among them, printer, riverboat captain, investor, lecturer, and of course, author. A true American original, our speech is peppered with his quotations. If you've never spent any time with his story, I encourage you to do so.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_twain