O. Henry

O. Henry was the pen name of American short-story writer William Sydney Porter (1862–1910). He is best known for short fiction that often features surprise endings and vivid portrayals of everyday life. Writing under the name O. Henry, Porter became a popular figure in American literature for his concise plots, humor, and sympathy for ordinary characters. His stories frequently explore coincidence, irony, and the twists of fate that shape human lives. Active in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, he helped define the modern American short story and remains widely read for his memorable narrative voice and inventive storytelling.