1

The Real Huckleberry Finn

Image: Demure Storyteller

As mentioned earlier, Huckleberry Finn was, at least in part, based on a real person. Much of Mark Twain’s inspiration comes from his own life and experiences. Though Huckleberry Finn is a fictional character, his appearance, demeanor, and lifestyle closely mirror almost exactly Mr. Twain’s dear childhood friend, Tom Blankenship.

Huckleberry Finn first appeared in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer before becoming the central figure in his own story, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn , a work widely regarded as a cornerstone of American literature.

2

Education

Image: Johnny Cohen

Mark Twain’s intellectual achievements might suggest he was a highly academically educated individual, but that was not the case. He had to leave school at a very early age to help support his family after his father’s death.

After he dropped out of school, Twain began working at the Hannibal Journal , where his writing career would find its start. Always the avid reader, he was known to spend hours each evening in the library, immersing himself in books.

3

Steamboat pilot

Image: Andreas Haubold

In 1857, Mark Twain began his career as an apprentice steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River . Soon after, he recruited his younger brother to work on the vessel as well, but tragedy struck one day as he died from an explosion on the steamboat. Despite this heartbreaking event, Twain continued his training and earned his pilot’s license in 1859, working as a pilot until the outbreak of the Civil War.

In June 1902, he paid his final visit to the Mississippi River when he accepted an honorary degree at the University of Missouri in Columbia and participated in the dedication of a steamboat named in his honor.

4

Pen Names

Image: Patrick Fore

It is a well-known fact that Mark Twain, though a great name indeed, was not our hero’s real birthname which was Samuel Langhorne Clemens . Choosing a memorable pen name can be a lengthy process, and many authors experiment with a few before settling on one.

Before adopting the now-famous "Mark Twain," Clemens tested out some unusual pseudonyms, including "Epaminondas Adrastus Blab" and "Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass."

5

Miner years

Image: Art Institute of Chicago

A man unafraid of trying new things, Mark Twain also worked as a miner in Nevada , where he and his brother fled, avoiding the Civil War. He later described the work as "hard and long and dismal."

His stint as a miner was short-lived, as he quickly landed his first writing job at The Territorial Enterprise newspaper in Virginia City. There he was tasked with covering crime, politics, culture, and, also, mining.

6

19 cats

Image: Paul Hanaoka

A hardcore cat enthusiast, Mr. Twain was so fond of these felines that he even "rented" them to keep him company while traveling . At one point in his life, he reportedly had 19 cats at the same time.

When asked about this obsession, Twain replied that he found cats much preferable to humans, even going as far as saying, "If man could be crossed with the cat, it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat."

7

Board game inventor

Image: Jaciel Melnik

Perhaps learning about English monarchs was a fun activity in the times of Mark Twain but, in any case, it served as the inspiration for a board game he invented and patented , called Memory Builder.

Memory Builder wasn’t Twain’s only invention. He also designed a self-adhesive scrapbook that works like an envelope and created an improvement in adjustable and detachable straps for women’s bras.

8

Bed writer

Image: Annie Spratt

Some might think that working in bed all day would be extremely uncomfortable, especially due to posture. However, Mark Twain found it absolutely delightful, and it became his favorite place to work.

In his old age, Mark Twain was often photographed in his bed, smoking away a cigar or pipe while writing. Though he owned many houses throughout his life, he had only one favorite bed, which he kept with him until the end.

9

Bad businessman

Image: Vasilis Caravitis

Being a great author doesn’t guarantee being successful in other things as well. Despite dabbling in many business investments, Twain’s financial endeavors were largely unsuccessful. He lost money in mining and technology ventures and even went bankrupt.

However, he always managed to make a comeback with his writing and his lectures, proving that his known talents were generous and reliable.

10

Predicted his own death

Image: Frank Zinsli

In 1909, Mark Twain predicted that he would die when Halley’s Comet returned . This was because the last time the comet passed near Earth was the year of his birth. Unfortunately, he was right, and he passed away in 1910.

Twain's family was by his side when he died, and he was buried in Elmira, New York. The exact cause of his death remains a mystery to this day.

1

Smart boy

Image: Benjamin Smith

It's definitely not a secret that Albert Einstein was an exceptionally intelligent child. However, his achievements were extraordinary, and we're not just talking about him getting A's in school; he was teaching himself complex subjects as a preteen just for fun!

At just 12 years of age, his curious and powerful mind led him to become an autodidact. While other children were naturally playing on the playground, Einstein taught himself algebra and geometry in a single summer!

2

Scientific teen

Image: Camille Orgel

That genius child became a teenage scientist. At 16 years old, most of us were dealing with high school, but Einstein was doing something a bit different: he was writing his first scientific paper, titled "On the Investigation of the State of the Ether in a Magnetic Field."

The paper was inspired by his compass and examined the force of magnetism. Although it wasn't published, this research reveals the passion, dedication, and great intellect that Einstein displayed from a very young age.

3

A hobby

Image: Providence Doucet

But calculus and science weren't the only interests of the young Einstein. One of his other great passions was music. And, of course, he stood out in that field too.

It turns out that his mother, Pauline, was a talented pianist, and she encouraged Albert to play music from an early age. At 5 years old, Albert received a violin as a gift and began his lessons immediately.

It's said that, at first, he struggled a bit due to the instrument's complexity—yes, probably because he was only 5—but by the age of 13, he had become a skilled violinist, playing compositions by classical composers such as Bach and Mozart.

4

First job

Image: Andrew George

Einstein graduated from the Polytechnic Institute in Zurich in 1902 at the age of 23. Surprisingly, despite his impressive intellectual ability and broad knowledge, he was rejected for many of the academic positions he applied for after graduation. Faced with this situation, the scientist accepted a job at the Swiss Patent Office in Bern.

Later, Einstein stated that taking that job was "a salvation," as it provided a stable income and, at the same time, gave him free time to commit to his ongoing scientific research fully. Thanks to this key decision, by 1909, Einstein had already become a renowned scientist, celebrated for his contributions to physics.

5

Another passion

Image: Ian Keefe

With such a wonderful mind, it's no surprise that Einstein would have multiple and varied passions and hobbies.

One of those was sailing. Although he developed this interest as an adult, he was still very young when he discovered that sailing had a calming effect on him.

Sailing became one of his favorite activities, allowing him to escape the intensity of his work and appreciate nature—and his relationship with it—from a different perspective. He would often spend entire days on lakes and rivers, both during his time in Europe and later in the United States.

6

Almost a president

Image: Kate Macate

Among Einstein's varied accomplishments, there is one that many people don't know about: he almost became a president!

In 1952, the genius received a formal invitation from Israel to become the country's president. By that time, Albert was already a recognized and respected physicist, making him an ideal figure for that leadership role. However, Einstein politely declined the offer, claiming that he didn't have the political experience needed for the position and that his desire was to continue working in the scientific field. Once again, his wisdom stood out.

7

100 against him

Image: Igor Omilaev

Standing out in a field and introducing new ideas can often turn many against you. That "hate" we see today on social media isn't something entirely new. Some public figures had to deal with hate long before the internet became part of our daily lives.

Something like that happened to Einstein. As is well known, the publication of his Theory of Relativity brought a lot of uproar, both positive and negative. In 1931, a group of scientists published a collection of essays called One Hundred Authors Against Einstein (a bit aggressive, right?), in which they opposed the new ideas and discoveries of the German scientist.

8

Gossip

Image: Jarvik Joshi

The 20th century had something for everyone. In the 1950s , while Einstein was immersed in his theoretical physics work, Hollywood was at one of its peaks, with stars like Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, and Marilyn Monroe gracing the screen. While it may seem that science and entertainment are separate realms, rumors and gossip brought these two worlds together.

Legend has it that our well-remembered scientist had a brief romantic affair with none other than Marilyn Monroe, one of the most talented and beautiful women the world has ever seen. Although it's true that both figures met at several public events in the United States, there's not enough evidence to support this rumor.

9

The marriage

Image: Marc A. Sporys

There is a romance involving Einstein that was somewhat controversial but definitely confirmed. We're talking about his second marriage.

Einstein was married twice in his life. In 1903, he tied the knot with Mileva Marić, his colleague at the Polytechnic Institute in Zurich, Switzerland. Just like him, she was also noted for her brilliance. After 16 years, the marriage began to weaken, and the couple divorced in 1919.

That same year, Einstein married for the second time, this time to his first cousin , Elsa Löwenthal. The marriage was controversial due to their familial connection, but the union lasted for 17 years, until Elsa's death in 1936.

10

Free ankles

Image: Mockup Graphics

We all have our fashion quirks, right? Some hate turtlenecks, others choose the quality of their shirts carefully, and others may pay attention to details like accessories.

It turns out that Albert Einstein also had a little quirk when it came to clothing, but it's probably not what you're expecting. In fact, Einstein didn’t pay much attention to clothes or fashion. However, there was one particular item he found totally annoying and useless: socks . It’s said that he often wore mismatched socks for several days in a row, and at one point, he simply stopped wearing socks altogether.

1

Michael Jackson’s chimpanzee

Image: MediaEcke

At his Neverland ranch, the King of Pop had his own zoo with exotic animals such as exotic birds, an albino python, two tigers named Thriller and Sabu, and even an elephant, a gift from Liz Taylor. But by far, Michael Jackson’s favorite pet was Bubbles, a chimpanzee he introduced as his son and followed him everywhere.

You‘re probably wondering what happened to Bubbles, right? Well, you'll be glad to know that the 41-year-old chimpanzee now leads a quiet and normal life. He lives at the Center for Great Apes in Wauchula, Florida, where he pursues unique hobbies such as painting. Surely, Michael would be happy to see his beloved pet living a nice retirement.

2

Audrey Hepburn’s fawn deer

Image: Jen Dries

The mythical actress Audrey Hepburn had one of the most unique pets in Hollywood history: a baby deer named Pippin. This beautiful and gentle animal seems to match perfectly with the grace and elegance of the actress who captivated the hearts of fans around the world, don't you think?

Hepburn met Pippin in 1958 during the filming of Green Mansions and fell in love at first sight. The actress adopted the fawn and brought it to her Beverly Hills home, where it quickly made friends with Mr. Famous, the family dog.

3

Elvis Presley’s kangaroo

Image: Iván Lojko

Throughout his life, the King of Rock and Roll kept several pets at his beloved Graceland. But did you know one of them was a kangaroo? Yes, exactly! In addition to horses, dogs, a chimpanzee named Scatter, birds, and a squirrel monkey, Elvis had a kangaroo given to him by his agent Lee Gordon in 1957. Elvis tried to train it, but when he eventually failed, he gave it to the Memphis Zoo.

4

Melanie Griffith’s (many) lions, tigers, and cheetahs

Image: Glen Carrie

When Melanie Griffith was a teenager, her mother, the famous actress Tippi Hedren, decided to make a film about endangered lions. An animal trainer warned her that if she wanted to learn more about these felines, she had to "live with them for a while".

So the whole family moved to a ranch in California and adopted cheetahs, tigers, cougars, and lions. What was supposed to be a five-week shoot turned into five years. On one occasion, Melanie was attacked by a lion, resulting in over 50 stitches and reconstructive surgery on her face. The experience was so negative that the actresses now advocate for a ban on the exotic cat trade.

5

George Clooney's Vietnamese pot-bellied pig

Image: Jez Timms

Did you know that George Clooney once had a pet pig? In 1988, his then-girlfriend, actress Kelly Preston, gave him a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig as a gift. The animal grew to 300 lbs and lived with the Hollywood star for 18 years.

But that's not all! In 1994, when the infamous Northridge Earthquake that caused 72 deaths, 12,000 injuries, and $25 billion in losses hit Los Angeles, Max saved his owner's life. Clooney claims he was born again that day and will be forever grateful to his furry friend.

6

Reese Witherspoon’s donkeys

Image: Erwan Hesry

Reese Witherspoon is a big fan of animals. Owner of an entire farm, she tends to at least three dogs, two piglets, twenty chickens, three goats, and a pony.

But her most famous pets are Honky and Tonky, two incredible miniature donkeys that she and her children play with frequently.

7

Nicolas Cage’s albino cobras

Image: Anilsharma26

Nicolas Cage is well known for his bold and eccentric personality, both on and off the screen. He has a passion for exotic animals, so it's no wonder he once adopted two albino cobras —one of the rarest and most venomous snakes in the world— as pets.

Despite spending tens of thousands of dollars on them, his love for these rare reptiles caused him major legal and safety challenges, forcing him to reconsider his decision. Ultimately, he decided to send them to a professional wildlife center, ensuring they received the best care.

8

Paris Hilton’s kinkajou

Image: Aramburu Carlos, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Paris Hilton is known for her extravagant lifestyle. In addition to lavish mansions, closets full of designer clothes and shoes, and expensive jewelry, the hotel heiress invests much of her fortune in pets. That's how, in 2005, she adopted a kinkajou she named Baby Luv.

You're probably wondering what a kinkajou even is. Kinkajous are wild mammals native to the rainforest, relatives of raccoons and coatis. Their large, round eyes and playful nature make them seem like ideal pets, but in reality, they shouldn't be taken out of the wild. Paris learned this the hard way: the animal bit her arm, and she had to be hospitalized. After the incident, the socialite had to relocate Baby Luv to a wildlife sanctuary.

9

Miley Cyrus’ pig

Image: Forest Simon

Miley Cyrus is a well-known animal advocate who collaborates directly with PETA. She has a home farm where she lives with seven dogs, two horses, two ponies, several cats, and until 2019, a pig.

Of all her companions, Pig Pig was the recurring star on the singer's Instagram account. Miley adopted her in August 2014 after her dog, Floyd, died. Sadly, five years later, Miley had to share some bad news with her thousands of followers: "Very sad to say... my dear friend Pig Pig has passed away," she wrote.

10

Mike Tyson’s tiger

Image: Alicia Chong

The famous boxer Mike Tyson kept a considerable number of big cats as pets. But his favorite was a female Bengal tiger he named Kenya. They lived together for almost two decades, and it was amazing to see him next to the 550-pound animal. The former champion was in charge of feeding her, they walked together, and she even slept in his bed.

Tyson was never afraid of animals considered dangerous. But when the tiger began to age, it became too risky to keep her in the house. Eventually, he was forced to get rid of Kenya.