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Today in History: O. Henry leaves prison, launches literary career

Here's an interesting historical footnote for the literary minded among you; today's the anniversary of the release from prison of one of Texas' great short story writers:July 24 - O. Henry is released from prison on this day in 1901. William Sydney Porter, otherwise known as O. Henry, is released from prison ... after serving three years ... for embezzlement from a bank in Austin, Texas.To escape imprisonment, Porter had fled the authorities and hidden in Honduras, but returned when his wife, still in the U.S., was diagnosed with a terminal illness. He went to jail and began writing stories to support his young daughter while he was in prison.After his release, Porter moved to New York and worked for New York World, writing one short story a week from 1903 to 1906...continue to full post

Full post as published by Grits for Breakfast on July 24, 2008 (boomark / email).