Explore the Life and Times of William Sydney Porter

This week marks the 100 year anniversary of the death of William Sydney Porter, better known by his pen name, O. Henry, who died on June 5, 1910. This famous writer, best known for his entertaining short stories, spent his childhood and adolescence in Greensboro. 

The 100 year anniversary of his death is a good time for Greensboro area residents to read O. Henry’s stories or to learn more about his life.

O. Henry penned many memorable stories including “The Ransom of Red Chief” and “The Gift of the Magi," and he has been heralded as one of America’s best short story writers, writing more than 300 in his lifetime. Today, the most prestigious short story prize in America bears the name - the O. Henry Award.

If you would like to see original editions of his works, you’ll find them with the call number N.C. F Porter and the status O. Henry, indicating that they are in the O. Henry Collection on the second floor of the Central Library. The original editions are for library use only.

For books about O. Henry’s life and works, check the catalog under subject, using the term Porter, William Sydney. There are reference copies in the O. Henry Collection and also, in many cases, circulating copies. You can choose from a number of biographies, but take special note of O. Henry from Polecat Creek by Greensboro historian Ethel Stephens Arnett. Her book emphasizes Will Porter’s first 20 years, when he was growing up in Greensboro.

In 2005, Greensboro Public librarians developed an online portal which connects visitors with an extensive collection of hundreds of digitized letters, documents, photographs, and news articles offering insight into the life and legacy of William Sidney Porter and of his hometown. In the past year alone this portal has been viewed more than 11,000 times by visitors from all over the world. 

Also, get a live glimpse of Greensboro in O. Henry’s time at the Gate City Exhibition at Greensboro Historical Museum, 130 Summit Avenue. A highlight is Miss Lina Porter’s Schoolhouse. Each year, for roughly two decades beginning in 1872, Porter (1832-1897) taught as many as 40 children in a one-room schoolhouse beside her home at 430 West Market St. Her passion for literature, storytelling, and drawing inspired many pupils, especially her nephew, William Sydney Porter, who received most of his formal education from her between 1867 and 1877.

Meanwhile, Greensboro Public Library and Greensboro Historical Museum have events planned for September 2012 to commemorate the 150 anniversary of O. Henry’s birth.

Related Links:

Greensboro Public Library

O. Henry Portal

Greensboro Historical Museum