NAME: JAYSON Y.

NOMAT GRADE & SECTION: G10- BERNADO CARPIO

THE LIFE OF O. HENRY: THE WITTEST SHORT-STORY WRITER

This paper critiques the works and contribution of O. Henry and in the field of literature and how he became
famous and known by his beautiful stories. He was known for making stories that always surprise the
readers in the ending, making them amaze and expect more from his short stories..

William Sydney Porter, better known by his pen name ‘O.Henry’, was born on September 11, 1862 at
Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S. His father, Algernon Sidney Porter, was a physician. His mother, Mrs.
Algernon Sidney Porter (Mary Virginia Swaim), died from consumption when O. Henry was just three years
old, so he was raised by his paternal grandmother and his aunt. He attended the private elementary school
of his aunt, Evelina Porter, known as "Miss Lina", starting in 1867 until he went to Linsey Street High
School in Greensboro, but he left school at the age of 15 to work as a bookkeeper for his uncle at W. C.
Porter and Company Drug Store. As a result, O. Henry was largely self-taught. Being an avid reader helped.

O. Henry worked a number of different jobs, such as a ranch hand in Texas, licensed pharmacist, draftsman,
bank clerk, and columnist. Year 1887, he married Athol Estes, stepdaughter of Mr. P. G. Roach. His most
notorious occupation was as a bank clerk for the First National Bank of Austin. He resigned from his job in
1894 after he was accused of embezzling funds. In 1896, he was arrested on charges of embezzlement. He
posted bail, skipped town, and finally returned in 1897 when he learned that his wife was dying. Athol died
on July 25, 1897, leaving him one daughter, Margaret Worth Porter that was born in 1889. He entered
prison April 25, 1898 and was released July 24, 1901. After O. Henry served his time in prison, he married
Sarah Lindsey Coleman in Asheville, N.C. in 1907. She had been his childhood sweetheart.

It was probably while in prison that he first adopted the pen name of O. Henry. Many of his stories, written
when he was in jail, were mailed to New Orleans and thence redirected to the publishers. In 1902 he settled
in New York, and sent forth a constant stream of stories, which became extraordinarily popular. They are
characterized by a gorgeousness of imagination, recalling The Arabian Nights so familiar to him; but the
constant striving for effect and the excessive use of slang led many to see in them a degeneration into
“literary vaudeville.” He is perhaps at his best when describing the endlessly varied types presented by the
mass of humanity in New York City.

Some of his famous works are The Gift of the Magi, Blind Man’s Holiday, The Four Million, and the Heart of
the West and the Trimmed Lamp. O. Henry’s stories often explored the impact of coincidence on character,
infused with humor, irony, and unexpected twist endings. His distinctive style captivated readers and left a
lasting mark on the world of literature. The O. Henry Prize, awarded annually for outstanding short stories,
was established in his honor in 1919. His stories have been adapted into various art forms, including films
and television. Despite financial struggles and alcoholism, O. Henry’s work continues to resonate with
readers worldwide.

O. Henry passed away on June 5, 1910 in New York City, U.S.The cause of his death was cirrhosis of the liver.
Unfortunately, he died in relative poverty, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable storytelling.

This Biography where written to recognized the works and the contribution of O. Henry in the field of
literature. This also serves as an appreciation letter to all he have done to his his avid readers as he did not
disappoint to give them an amazing stories they always expect him to give.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

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