1. O. Henry

2. Pen Name
A pen name is another name that an author goes by instead of their real name.
O. Henry is really:
William Sydney Porter

3. Typical Facts Born: 11 September 1862
Birthplace: Greensboro, North Carolina
Died: 5 June 1910
Best Known As: American short story writer

4. Interesting Facts He left school at 15 and moved to Texas.
He began editing for a magazine you may have heard of called The Rolling Stone
He also worked for a bank but was a terrible record keeper. Two years after he left the bank he was accused of embezzlement.

5. He Did What??? He got scared and fled to Honduras.
A few years later, he returned to Austin, TX to be with his dying wife.
He was then convicted of the charge and spent 3 years in prison.

6. His Stories
In prison is where O. Henry came up with several of his plots for his stories.

7. Where Did He Get That Name?
Porter got his pen name from a prison guard. His name was Orrin Henry.

8. Life After Prison O. Henry moved to New York
He became one of the country’s most popular short story writers
He is known for his surprise endings and settings of cheap hotels and the New York streets.

9. Examples: After 20 Years *** The Retrieved Reformation ***
The Gift of the Magi ***
The Ransom of Red Chief ***