The Grand Love Affair

“In 1867, Sam Clemens left the United States as part of a cruise on the steamer Quaker City, bound for Europe and the Holy Lands. He met another young man, Charlie Langdon. In Charlie’s stateroom he saw this miniature portrait of a young woman. Finding out this was Charlie’s sister, Livy, Mark Twain was intrigued, and Charlie was lavish in his description of his sister. Sam Clemens said he fell in love with Livy from seeing her portrait. After meeting Livy, courtship ensued, and Sam and Livy were married in 1870. This is the miniature portrait Sam Clemens saw in 1867 along with a contemporary portrait of Clemens.”