O henry biography pdf
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The American short story writer, William Sydney Porter is most famous for his pen name O. Henry. He was born on 11th September 1862 in Greensboro, North Carolina. In the year 1882, he moved to Texas, where he met the love of his life, his wife - Athol Estes. He had two children with Athol. Porter moved to New York in the year 1902, after the death of his wife, where he soon remarried. Porter's most intensive writing period occurred when he was in New York, with Porter writing 381 short stories.
The stories of Porter are most famous for its clever word play, witty narration and their surprise endings. It changes the audience's perception of the preceding events and sometimes introduces a new conflict that places it in a different context. Some of his famous works include “The Gift of Magi”, “The Ransom of Red Chief”, “The Cop and the Anthem” and many more. His story The Gift of Magi often ironically used coincidences and surprise endings. Writing enormously, he went on to become a glorified American writer. He also wrote poetry and non - fiction.
William Sydney Porter Biogr •
Texas Originals
William Sydney Porter (O. Henry)
September 11, 1862–June 5, 1910
William Sydney Porter—better known by his pen name, O. Henry—was born in North Carolina and died in New York. But his sixteen years in Texas, from 1882 to 1898, made a lasting mark on his life and work.
In Texas, Porter developed an abiding love for the American West. He worked as a ranch hand, a pharmacist, a draftsman; edited his own newspaper; and met his wife. It was also in Texas where Porter was found guilty of embezzling funds from an Austin bank where he worked as a teller. He served three years in a federal prison before being released in 1901.
While behind bars, Porter began writing and selling short stories to major magazines under assumed names.
In those stories, Porter portrays the Lone Star state as a vast place with its own laws. The stories describe in rich detail the ranches, prairies, and settlements of South and Central Texas. Author J. Frank Dobie called Porter's story "The Last of the Troubadours" "the best range story in American fiction."
Today, critics place O. Henry a
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O. Henry Biography
HOME | BIOGRAPHY | CHRONOLOGY | TEXAS STORIES | RESOURCES | O.HENRY PUNOFF
Biography
William Sydney Porter (O. Henry) was born on a plantation in Greensboro, North Carolina on September 11, 1862. In 1882, prompted by ill health, he moved to a ranch in West Texas. Two years later, he moved to Austin where he resided until 1898. During Porter's early years in the city, he held several jobs. He was a pharmacist at the Morley Drug Store, a bookkeeper for Joe Harrell, and later, a clerk at Maddox Brothers and Anderson, general land agents. As a bachelor, he enjoyed singing with the Hill City Quartet, known for serenading young women on the streets of Austin. The group also entertained at local weddings, church festivals, and picnics. Porter was a frequenter of the Bismark Saloon, his favorite "watering hole".
In 1887, Porter eloped with seventeen year old Athol Estes, an Austin native, who was impressed with both his singing and drawing abilities. They were married at Flower Hill, the home of Reverend R. K. Smoot. Porter's status as the head of a new household mo
Texas Originals
William Sydney Porter (O. Henry)
September 11, 1862–June 5, 1910
William Sydney Porter—better known by his pen name, O. Henry—was born in North Carolina and died in New York. But his sixteen years in Texas, from 1882 to 1898, made a lasting mark on his life and work.
In Texas, Porter developed an abiding love for the American West. He worked as a ranch hand, a pharmacist, a draftsman; edited his own newspaper; and met his wife. It was also in Texas where Porter was found guilty of embezzling funds from an Austin bank where he worked as a teller. He served three years in a federal prison before being released in 1901.
While behind bars, Porter began writing and selling short stories to major magazines under assumed names.
In those stories, Porter portrays the Lone Star state as a vast place with its own laws. The stories describe in rich detail the ranches, prairies, and settlements of South and Central Texas. Author J. Frank Dobie called Porter's story "The Last of the Troubadours" "the best range story in American fiction."
Today, critics place O. Henry a
- •
O. Henry Biography
HOME | BIOGRAPHY | CHRONOLOGY | TEXAS STORIES | RESOURCES | O.HENRY PUNOFF
Biography
William Sydney Porter (O. Henry) was born on a plantation in Greensboro, North Carolina on September 11, 1862. In 1882, prompted by ill health, he moved to a ranch in West Texas. Two years later, he moved to Austin where he resided until 1898. During Porter's early years in the city, he held several jobs. He was a pharmacist at the Morley Drug Store, a bookkeeper for Joe Harrell, and later, a clerk at Maddox Brothers and Anderson, general land agents. As a bachelor, he enjoyed singing with the Hill City Quartet, known for serenading young women on the streets of Austin. The group also entertained at local weddings, church festivals, and picnics. Porter was a frequenter of the Bismark Saloon, his favorite "watering hole".
In 1887, Porter eloped with seventeen year old Athol Estes, an Austin native, who was impressed with both his singing and drawing abilities. They were married at Flower Hill, the home of Reverend R. K. Smoot. Porter's status as the head of a new household mo
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