Mark Twain's memoirs to be published

Mark Twain's memoirs are set to be published by the University of California Press - a century after the author's death.

Prior to his death in 1910, Twain, real name Samuel Langhorne Clemens, said he wanted his memoirs to be held onto by his estate until he was 'dead, unaware and indifferent'.

Now, the famous author will be granted his wish, with a 'complete and authoritative edition' of Twain's autobiography set to be released in November by the university's publishing arm.

The university claims that the new book represents the US writer's 'authentic and unsuppressed voice, brimming with humour, ideas, and opinions, and speaking clearly from the grave as he intended'.

Speaking exclusively to the Independent, the new autobiography's editor, Dr Robery Hirst, questioned whether Twain wanted 100 years to pass before his memoirs were released to the public - but claimed that the delay would definitely drum up consumer interest.

Twain is perhaps most famous for his 1885 work The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.