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- William Sydney Porter, better known by his pen name O. Henry, was an American writer celebrated for his captivating short stories. Let’s delve into the life of this literary genius:
Early Life:
William Sidney Porter was born on September 11, 1862, in Greensboro, North Carolina, during the American Civil War.
His parents were Algernon Sidney Porter, a physician, and Mary Jane Virginia Swaim Porter.
Sadly, when William was just three years old, his mother passed away after giving birth to her third child. He and his father then moved into the home of his paternal grandmother.
As a child, Porter was an avid reader, devouring everything from classics to dime novels. His favorite works included Lane’s translation of One Thousand and One Nights and Burton’s Anatomy of Melancholy1.
Education and Early Career:
Porter graduated from his aunt Evelina Maria Porter’s elementary school in 1876.
He continued his education at Lindsey Street High School and received tutoring from his aunt until the age of 15.
In 1879, he began working at his uncle’s drugstore in Greensboro and became a licensed pharmacist at the age of 19.
Porter’s natural artistic talents also emerged during this time as he sketched the townsfolk.
Seeking a change of air to alleviate a persistent cough, he traveled to Texas in 1882 and worked on a sheep ranch, learning Spanish and German from the diverse ranch hands.
Eventually, he settled in Austin, Texas, where he began writing as a sideline1.
Life in Texas:
Porter resided with the Harrell family in Austin for three years.
He worked briefly for the Morley Brothers Drug Company as a pharmacist and later joined the Harrell Cigar Store located in the Driskill Hotel.
During this time, he honed his writing skills and penned many of his early stories.
His health improved, and he immersed himself in classic literature while living in Texas1.
In February 1896, William Sydney Porter was indicted for embezzlement of funds from the First National Bank in Austin, Texas, where he had been recently employed.
Literary Legacy:
O. Henry’s stories are characterized by their naturalist observations, witty narration, and unexpected twists.
Notable works include:
“The Gift of the Magi”
“The Duplicity of Hargraves”
“The Ransom of Red Chief”
The novel Cabbages and Kings.
His legacy lives on through the O. Henry Award, an annual prize recognizing outstanding short stories1.
In summary, O. Henry’s life was as rich and colorful as the tales he spun, weaving humor, irony, and surprise into the fabric of American literature.
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1862 - 1910 (48 years)
Has more than 100 ancestors but no descendants in this family tree.
d. 1648, Windsor, Hartford, CT 
