1001 Stories Podcast Network with host Jon Hagadorn
NEWSLETTER
September 7, 2025
Enjoy 12 unique storytelling podcasts- all Hand -picked, stories to challenge your intellect, increase your vocabulary, improve your writing skills, and enrich your knowledge of our history and culture.
Hello 1001 Stories Network family
One of our biggest listener fan bases here for short stories, in addition to Sherlock Holmes, has been the short stories of O.Henry.
The stats at 1001 Classic Short Stories & Tales tell the story- every time O.Henry stories appear you fans tend to enjoy them greatly. I do as well- he was a gift to history and literature.
I think it's time you got to know him a little better. This week we offer an O.Henry "double-header" with "Springtime A La Carte" and "The 'Marry' Month of May. at 1001 Classic Short Stories & Tales- both stories taking place in the NYC of about 1905.
https://www.bestof1001stories.com/show/1001-classic-short-stories-tales/
All about O’Henry
Henry was the pen name of William Sydney Porter, an American short story writer celebrated for his wit, humor, and surprise twist endings.
His life was full of drama, mirroring the human stories he so vividly captured in his fiction. His prolific writing period in early 20th-century New York City, which he called "Baghdad on the Subway," gave rise to more than 300 of his most famous stories.
Life and legal troubles
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Early life: Born in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1862, William Sydney Porter was largely self-educated after his mother died when he was three. He worked as a licensed pharmacist and later moved to Texas, where he worked as a bank teller and developed his writing.
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Embezzlement and prison: In 1896, Porter was accused of embezzling funds from the First National Bank of Austin. While the facts of the case are still debated, he fled to Honduras before his trial. He returned to Austin to care for his dying wife, Athol Estes Porter, and was convicted in 1898. He served three years of a five-year sentence in federal prison in Ohio.
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The pen name: While in prison, Porter began writing short stories and adopted the pseudonym "O. Henry" to conceal his identity. He did not settle on the name permanently until after his release.
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Move to New York: After his release in 1901, O. Henry moved to New York City in 1902 to be closer to publishers. This marked his most prolific writing period, during which he wrote a story a week for the New York World Sunday Magazine.
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Second marriage and final years: In 1907, he married his childhood sweetheart, Sara "Sallie" Lindsey Coleman. However, his heavy drinking and declining health strained the marriage, and they separated two years later.
New York City stories and Historical Value
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Henry's stories are rich historical records of New York City during the Gilded Age and the early 20th century. While he was a manufacturer of sentiment rather than a serious chronicler, his tales still capture the spirit of the time.
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The common person: His narratives provide glimpses into the lives of ordinary people—clerks, shopgirls, drifters, and minor criminals—who often struggled with economic hardship. His work provides valuable insight into the challenges of the working class at the time.
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The city as a character: He vividly described the urban landscape, from the bustling streets and crowded tenements to the fashionable parts of town. His keen observation of life gave his writing an authentic, informed feel.
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Themes of alienation and connection: His stories, particularly those set in New York, frequently explored the loneliness and anonymity of city life alongside the deep connections and unexpected kindness that can be found there.
Humor and Humanity
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Henry's writing is defined by his compassionate portrayal of human nature, which he often infuses with humor and irony.
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Twist endings: His trademark surprise endings often reveal an ironic reversal of fate, as seen in "The Gift of the Magi," where the loving sacrifices of a young couple render their gifts useless.
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Humor and wit: His clever language and wit help to soften the often-serious or bittersweet themes of his stories, making them both entertaining and memorable.
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Compassionate eye: Even when his characters have flaws, he depicts them with empathy. He understood the moral complexities and contradictions of the human heart and used his stories to celebrate generosity, hope, and compassion in the face of adversity.
Residences, friends, and death
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New York residence: While in New York, O. Henry lived at 55 Irving Place. A close friend during this period was Gilman Hall, an editor at Everybody's Magazine.
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Death: A heavy drinker for much of his life, O. Henry's health deteriorated significantly in his final years. He died on June 5, 1910, from cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes, and an enlarged heart. He was buried in Asheville, North Carolina.
Henry's stories in film
Many of O. Henry's short stories have been adapted for film and television throughout the decades, from the silent era onward. A notable film adaptation is the 1952 anthology film O. Henry's Full House, which features adaptations of five of his stories directed by acclaimed filmmakers.
20 best short stories
Henry was incredibly prolific, writing over 600 stories in his lifetime. While a definitive "best" list is subjective, the following are consistently ranked among his most celebrated works:
“The Gift of the Magi” |
“The Ransom of Red Chief” |
“The Last Leaf” |
“The Cop and the Anthem” |
“A Retrieved Reformation” |
“After Twenty Years” |
“The Furnished Room” |
“The Green Door” |
“The Trimmed Lamp” |
“The Princess and the Puma” |
“Mammon and the Archer” |
“A Lickpenny Lover” |
“The Third Ingredient" |
“The Duplicity of Hargraves” |
“The Skylight Room” |
“Whistling Dick’s Christmas Stocking” |
“The Caballero’s Way” |
“Springtime a la Carte” |
“The Voice of the City” |
“Conscience in Art” |