While Mark Twain is the pen name we all know and love, his real name was Samuel Clemens. He adopted the pseudonym "Mark Twain" in 1863 while working as a journalist.
So, an old book of Tom Sawyer that credits "Samuel Clemens" as the author would likely be from before 1863, when he was still using his birth name.
Here's why it's important to note this:
* Historical Context: Knowing the publication date of a book can give you a clue about the author's life and career at the time.
* Authorial Intention: Clemens might have chosen to use his real name for specific reasons, like wanting to establish a different tone or style.
It's always fascinating to see the evolution of an author's identity and how they choose to present themselves to the world!