The Book:

O Henry is one of the best short story writers of all times. In all, he wrote 270 stories all well-spiced with variety, richness of characterisation, compassion, coincidence, surprise endings and humour. A champion of the downtrodden he delineated the darker realities of life with a fine sprinkling of laughter, capturing themes and moments of life in his times.



The Author:

O. Henry was born William Sydney Porter in Greenboro, North Carolina. His father, Algernon Sidney Porter, was a physician. William was an avid reader, but at the age of fifteen he left school, and then worked in a drug store and on a Texas ranch. He continued to Houston, where he had a number of jobs, including that of bank clerk. After moving in 1882 to Texas, he worked on a ranch in LaSalle County for two years. In 1887 he married Athol Estes Roach; they had one daughter and one son