The Prince and the Pauper is a novel by American author Mark Twain. It was first published in 1881 in Canada before its 1882 publication in the United States. The novel represents Twain's first attempt at historical fiction. Set in 1547 it tells the story of two young boys who were born on the same day and are identical in appearance: Tom Canty a pauper who lives with his abusive alcoholic father in Offal Court off Pudding Lane in London and Edward VI of England son of Henry VIII of England.