O. Henry

William Sydney Porter, better known by his pen name O. Henry, was an American writer known primarily for his short stories, though he also wrote poetry and non-fiction. His works include The Gift of the Magi, The Caballero's Way and The Duplicity of Hargraves. Born in 1862 and dying in 1910, he became known for stories with a sudden, ironic turn at the end. His stories are known for their naturalist observations, witty narration and surprise endings, and include The Ransom of Red Chief, along with the novel Cabbages and Kings. Born in Greensboro, North Carolina, he worked at his uncle's pharmacy and became a licensed pharmacist at nineteen, then moved to Texas in 1882.