O. Henry

O. Henry, born William Sydney Porter on September 11, 1862, in Greensboro, North Carolina, was a prolific American short story writer. His pen name, O. Henry, became synonymous with surprise endings and witty narrations. Despite 'Poetry' not being among his well-documented oeuvres—his foray largely excluded poetry— his literary prowess is showcased through his masterful short stories. Before gaining fame as an author, Porter led a tumultuous life, which included a stint in Honduran exile and imprisonment for embezzlement—experiences that enriched his perspectives and furnished material for his fiction. His first short story collection, 'Cabbages and Kings' (1904), was followed by 'The Four Million' (1906), featuring perhaps his most famous story, 'The Gift of the Magi.' O. Henry's writing style is marked by a rich use of coincidence, irony, and an economy of language that is both colloquial and artfully constructed. His literary achievements till his death on June 5, 1910, amounted to over 600 short stories, solidifying his place in the American literary canon. Although poetry was not his known medium, his narratives often possessed a lyrical quality that might stand as a testament to a poetic sensibility.