The famously eccentric Mark Twain conducted several self-interviews, including one for the Wheeling Register in 1882. Snarkily titled, “How the Innocent Humorist Simplified the Work of a Reporter,” the interview is best enjoyed first hand — but we will share that the American humorist delivered a few fun jabs on the subject of copyright laws. During his time, Twain struggled with dishonorable foreign publishers who purchased pirated editions of his work, sold them on the cheap, and denied him royalties. Twain eventually won the copyright protection he sought in Canada — due to a frequent offender based out of Toronto — and the author is pretty clear about how he feels on the matter in the Wheeler interview.
Fascinating Interviews Cultural Icons Conducted with Themselves
If I could meet anyone from history, Twain would be near the top of my list, for the sheer storytelling value.
