ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -O. Henry, pseudonym of William Sydney Porter, original name William Sidney Porter, (born September 11, 1862, Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S.-died June 5, 1910, New York, New York), American short-story writer whose tales romanticized the commonplace-in particular the life of ordinary people in New York City.

Detailed explanation-2: -William Sydney Porter (O. Henry) was born on a plantation in Greensboro, North Carolina on September 11, 1862. In 1882, prompted by ill health, he moved to a ranch in West Texas. Two years later, he moved to Austin where he resided until 1898.

Detailed explanation-3: -William Sydney Porter-better known by his pen name, O. Henry-was born in North Carolina and died in New York. But his sixteen years in Texas, from 1882 to 1898, made a lasting mark on his life and work.

Detailed explanation-4: -Henry wrote numerous short stories while in prison. His first story, “Whistling Dick’s Christmas Stocking, ” was published by McClure’s Magazine and became a steppingstone for the author’s success.

Detailed explanation-5: -After serving three years of his sentence, Porter was released from prison. He legally changed his name to O. Henry to shield his past and moved to New York City to write for a magazine. He wrote a story a week for the New York World, and in 1904, published his first collection, Cabbages and Kings.