A Poetry Collection: “No friendship is an accident. ”

By O Henry

William Sidney Porter was born in Greensboro, North Carolina on September 11, 1862. He was a voracious reader as a child reading anything and everything from classics to cheap dime store novels. As a young man his writing and drawings had caught the attention of the editor at the Houston Post moving there with his family in 1895. Porter gathered ideas for his column by loitering in hotel lobbies and observing and talking to people there. He was considered unfortunate to have been jailed for embezzlement of funds from a bank he had worked at some time before. However whilst in prison he had fourteen stories published under various pseudonyms, but was becoming best known as "O. Henry". Porter was released in July 1901, for good behavior after serving three years. Porter's most prolific writing period began in 1902, in New York City. While there, he wrote 381 short stories. Although known by most people as a writer he was also a fine poet. And in this volume we bring together a collection of his poems to demonstrate just that. He died on June 5, 1910, of cirrhosis of the liver, complications of diabetes, and an enlarged heart. After funeral services in New York City, he was buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Asheville, North Carolina.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Copyright Group
• Release date: Oct 29, 2013
• ISBN: 9781783945535

Book preview

The Poetry Of O. Henry

Poetry is a fascinating use of language.  With almost a million words at its command it is not surprising that these Isles have produced some of the most beautiful, moving and descriptive verse through the centuries.  In this series we look at individual poets who have shaped and influenced their craft and cement their place in our heritage. 

Although far better known for his short stories we are pleased to bring you here the slim collection of poetry of William Sidney Porter better known to the world as O. Henry.

William Sidney Porter was born in Greensboro, North Carolina on September 11, 1862  He was a voracious reader as a child reading anything and everything from classics to cheap dime store novels.

He graduated from his aunt’s elementary school in 1876 and then enrolled at the Lindsey Street High School though his aunt continued to tutor him until he