W.S Porter ( O. Henry ) 1862-1910 : One of the Greatest Short-Story Writers

O.Henry is the pen name of William Sidney Porter. One of the greatest short-story writer in American history.

W.S Porter graduated from his aunt Evelina Maria Porter's elementary school in 1878.
He then enrolled at the Lindsey Street High School.

His aunt continued to tutor him until he was fifteen.

In 1879 he started working in his uncle's drugstore and in 1881 , at the age of 19 , he was licensed as a pharmacist.

At the drugstore , he showed off his natural artistic talents by sketching the townsfolk.

He left North Carolina and went to Texas where he worked as a bank teller.

W.S Porter was convicted of embezzlement and spent 3 years in jail.

In jail W.S Porter began to write his stories.
He used the pen name O.Henry so the public was unaware of his time in prison.