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Unit 12: A Lickpenny Lover by O Henry

12.1 About the Author Notes

William Sidney Porter was born on September 11, 1862, in Greensboro, North Carolina.
He changed the spelling of his middle name to Sydney in 1898. His parents were Dr. Algernon
Sidney Porter (1825–88), a physician and Mary Jane Virginia Swaim Porter (1833–65). They were
married on April 20, 1858.
Figure 12.1: O Henry

Source: http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/120517-oHenry-
vmed2p.jpg

12.1.1 Early Life

When William was three, his mother died from tuberculosis, and he and his father moved into
the home of his paternal grandmother. As a child, Porter was always reading, everything from
classics to dime novels; his favourite works were Lane’s translation of One Thousand and One
Nights, and Burton’s Anatomy of Melancholy.
Porter graduated from his aunt Evelina Maria Porter’s elementary school in 1876. 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 also showed off his natural artistic talents by sketching the
townsfolk.

12.1.2 Move to Texas

Porter travelled with Dr. James K. Hall to Texas in March 1882, hoping that a change of air would
help alleviate a persistent cough he had developed. He took up residence on the sheep ranch of
Richard Hall, James’ son, in La Salle County and helped as a shepherd, ranch hand, cook and
baby-sitter. While on the ranch, he learned bits of Spanish and German from the mix of immigrant
ranch hands. He also spent time reading classic literature. Porter’s health did improve and he
travelled with Richard to Austin in 1884, where he decided to remain and welcomed into the

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