Publisher's Synopsis
The O. Henry Biography by C. Alphonso Smith is a comprehensive account of the life and works of the renowned American short story writer, William Sydney Porter, who wrote under the pen name O. Henry. The book traces the author's life from his birth in North Carolina in 1862 to his death in New York in 1910.The biography delves into O. Henry's early years, including his childhood, education, and early career as a pharmacist, which eventually led him to become a full-time writer. The book provides insight into O. Henry's writing process, his sources of inspiration, and his unique style, which was characterized by his use of wit, humor, and surprise endings.The biography also explores O. Henry's personal life, including his marriage, family, and friendships with other writers of his time. The book examines the impact of O. Henry's work on American literature and popular culture, and provides a detailed analysis of some of his most famous stories, such as ""The Gift of the Magi"" and ""The Ransom of Red Chief.""Overall, the O. Henry Biography by C. Alphonso Smith is a fascinating and informative account of one of America's most beloved writers, providing readers with an in-depth look at his life, work, and legacy.1916. Illustrated. A biography of Sydney Porter (O. Henry) who was the most popular short story writer of his time. His stories typically revolved around two of his favorite themes, the situation of the impostor and fate as the one unavoidable reality of life. Another device he used was the surprise ending, usually coming about through coincidence. He was the founder of the humorous weekly The Rolling Stone. When the weekly failed, he joined the Houston Post as a reporter and columnist. He was convicted of embezzling money, although there's much debate over his actual guilt, and while in prison he started to write short stories. His first work, Whistling Dick's Christmas Stocking appeared in McClure's Magazine. After emerging from prison Porter changed his name to O. Henry. He then moved to New York and wrote a story a week for the New York World, also publishing in other magazines. Contents: The Life and the Story; Vogue; Ancestry; Birthplace and Early Years; Ranch and City Life in Texas; The Shadowed Years; Finding Himself in New York; Favorite Themes; and Last Days. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
