Orion Clemens

American publisher

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June 24, 2026

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Orion Clemens was the elder brother of the renowned American author Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens). He was involved in politics and served as the territorial secretary of Nevada. Orion also owned the Hannibal Journal in Missouri, where Mark Twain began his writing career as a typesetter and occasional contributor. While Mark Twain achieved international fame as a writer, Orion's own career path included journalism and political appointments.12

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Mark Twain
The newspaper trade
…1850 the oldest Clemens boy, Orion, returned from St. Louis, Missouri, and began to publish a weekly newspaper. A year later he bought the Hannibal Journal, and Sam and his younger brother Henry worked for him. Sam became more than competent as a typesetter, but he also occasionally contributed sketches…
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…1850 the oldest Clemens boy, Orion, returned from St. Louis, Missouri, and began to publish a weekly newspaper. A year later he bought the Hannibal Journal, and Sam and his younger brother Henry worked for him. Sam became more than competent as a typesetter, but he also occasionally contributed sketches…
Read More