The Trouble Begins: Lawrence Howe on “Mark Twain, Ambivalent Capitalist”

Once the youthful Samuel L. Clemens gave up on the idea of becoming a coca baron in the Amazon, and became a river pilot, he actively sought to corner the egg market in the Mississippi Valley. These were the first of a string of business ventures for which Clemens is notorious. But was he really that bad at it? Lawrence Howe, noted Twain scholar and current President of the Mark Twain Circle of America, addresses the role of business in this lively talk – which offers surprising answers.

A 5 p.m. reception will precede the performance. The event is free, but pre-registration is strongly suggested. Reserve your ticket.

Future Trouble:

Wednesday, December 11: Living History Interpreter Tom Raines talks with Twain House Curator Steve Courtney about the life of George Griffin, Twain’s butler.

The Trouble Begins series is made possible in part by the Elmira College Center for Mark Twain Studies in Elmira, NY.

Thanks also for the support provided by Salute Restaurant in Hartford.