The Prince and the Pauper is a novel by American author Mark Twain. It was first published in Canada in 1881, followed by the United States in 1882.  The novel is Twain's first foray into historical fiction. It is set in 1547 and follows the story of two little boys who were born on the same day and look identical: Tom Canty, a poor who lives in Offal Court off Pudding Lane in London with his abusive, alcoholic father, and Edward VI of England, son of Henry VIII of England. This treasured historical satire played out in two very different socioeconomic worlds of 16th-century England.