Scribblin' for a Livin': Mark Twain's Pivotal Period in Buffalo

by Thomas J. Reigstad

In August 1869, a thirty-three-year-old journalist named Samuel Clemens - or as he was later known, Mark Twain - moved to Buffalo, New York. At the time, he had high hopes of establishing himself as a successful newspaper editor of the Buffalo Morning Express in the thriving, up-and-coming metropolis at the end of the Erie Canal. In this engaging portrait of the famous author at a formative and important juncture of his life, Thomas J. Reigstad-a Twain scholar-details the domestic, social, and professional experiences of Mark Twain while he lived in Buffalo. Based on years of researching historical archives, combing through microfilm of the Express when Twain was editor, and even interviewing descendants of Buffalonians who knew Twain, Reigstad has uncovered a wealth of fascinating information. The book draws a vivid portrait of Twain's work environment at the Express. Colorful anecdotes about his colleagues and his quirky work habits, along with original Twain stories and illustrations not previously reprinted, give readers a new understanding of Twain's commitment to full-time newspaper work.
Full of fascinating vignettes from the illustrious writer's life, as well as rare photographs, Scribblin' for a Livin' will appeal to Mark Twain enthusiasts, students and scholars of American literature, and anyone with an interest in the history of Western New York.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History

340 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Mark Mortensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This finely researched book appears aimed at a select audience of devout followers of Samuel Clemmons (Mark Twain) along with those within the Buffalo, New York community, who appreciate local history. The overall flow however not does bring out the humorous personality of the colorful individual. Then again many regard Twain’s tenure in Buffalo as the “dark days”.

As a 33 year old bachelor Twain moved to Buffalo in mid-August 1869 to become co-owner/co-editor of the Buffalo Express.newspaper. The biography ends with Twain’s departure from the coal powered slushed snow city in mid-March 1871, as a married man grief-stricken with the loss of his infant son. Twain’s move sparked a dramatic shift in his career, leaving behind his association with newspapers to devote the second half of his life cementing his legacy writing classic novels in Hartford, Connecticut.

I was drawn to this book through my curiosity of Mark Twain’s life but I also had an additional reason. In my biography of Major Hamilton USMC I note that his father, Charles Hamilton, arrived in Buffalo in July 1869 at age 13 and while in school he delivered newspapers. It was not until my manuscript was published that I connected the dots to Mark Twain in Buffalo. As to what extent if any Mark Twain may have had on the incredible national journalistic career of Charles Hamilton is open for speculation.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

My final read for 2020. 90 books.

Samuel Clemens (pen name Mark Twain) spend almost 2 years in Buffalo, NY as part owner and one of the editors of the Buffalo Express News (later merged with the Courier to become the "Courier Express"). As a native of Buffalo, and someone who is working on my Family History, I found this a fascinating book. My ancestor's had emigrated and were living in Buffalo during Twain's tenure.

The author is also a Buffalonian, and was not pleased at how Twain's biographers had treated his time in Buffalo. They all claimed he had not social life or close friends, mainly because of the cold winters. This book puts proves that to be false. The book details his early days (several months before his marriage when fiance Olivia was still in Elmira), living in a boarding house on Swann, and making several lifelong friends there. When he married his new father-in-law gifted the newlyweds a mansion on Delaware Avenue (then called Delaware St). In addition to his social life, the book notes some of the writing he did for the paper during this time. Almost 1/4 of the book are reprints of these articles and stories. Some of these, if Twain were alive today would be tweets ("Another trunk has been found with a dissected bod in it a Rochester. The owner is requested to call for his baggage"). Fun Fact: The original handwritten manuscript of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is part of the permanent collection of the Buffalo and Erie County Library.

[Mj · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this book I learned that Twain was kind of an asshole and a completely inept newspaper editor, and while the tie to my hometown is a novelty it doesn’t make for a good narrative. It’s likely the textbook writing that was as dry as chalk, but I just didn’t really connect to anything here — recognizing areas in Buffalo was fun and having the appendixes with some of the articles was nice, though neither really elevate this above a curiosity.

[Jamais · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Twain led an interesting life; Buffalo was part of that. // Scribblin’ For a Livin’// covers his period in Buffalo, from when he entered to when he left. It also reprints some of his articles from the //Buffalo Express//, including his “People and Things” column where he gathered together bits and pieces of news and combined it with his own humor. It is a rather complete look at a segment of his life, hoping to gain a better look at the man as a whole.

Reigstad follows Twain as he goes about his business, exploring why he makes the leap from newspaper writing to writing his books. It’s a fascinating yet pedantic study, and gives Twain fans a little more to chew on. His articles are a fun read, especially when he is able to unleash his wit on the article, which makes it more interesting; Twain would not likely last at one of today’s papers, given his proclivities towards stretching the truth. The biography has a lot of nice details, and Reigstad is definitely a fan, but not one that is afraid to show Twain’s irascible side; that makes this a great biography of a great man.

As originally written by Jamais Jochim for the http://sanfranciscobookreview.com/.

[Evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an extremely well-researched book about Mark Twain's time in Buffalo, New York. Scholars have long believed and promoted the idea that Twain's time in Buffalo was dreary, isolating, and unproductive. Professor Reigstad has meticulously proven that this is extremely false; Twain had a blossoming social life, began many projects here, and began his married life within the city. Not only that, but he stayed here when Buffalo was one of the most prosperous cities in the United States.

I've had the privilege of meeting the author in person, and he discussed how certain pieces of information arose just after the book was published. For example, the mention of Twain Alley in the book's Prologue has been verified thanks to the newspaper record-spelunking efforts of another scholar. History is an ongoing adventure of revelations, and we continue to understand Twain's impact on the city. His time in Buffalo was certainly productive and noteworthy. Thank goodness for this research!

[Bernadette · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very well researched book about the way in which the city of Buffalo played an important creative role in the thinking of Samuel Clemens.