O.Henry

O. Henry, the pen name of William Sydney Porter (1862–1910), was an American writer. Before devoting himself to writing, he worked in various occupations, including ranch hand, bookkeeper, bank clerk, and journalist. After serving a prison sentence for embezzlement, he began publishing stories; some of his early work was written in prison. He became known for his witty, sharply plotted short stories and wrote several hundred of them. Among his best-known works is “The Gift of the Magi.” O. Henry is regarded as a pioneer of the modern American short story.