This American short story writer famous for his unexpected twists in his stories, served 3 years and 3 months in the Federal Penitentiary in Columbus-Ohio.

The crime committed by him was embezzling funds while he had been the Teller with The First National Bank. He wrote some of his best stories in his cell-including the collection The Gentle Grafter.

Porter was found guilty of embezzlement, sentenced to five years jail, and imprisoned April 25, 1898 at the Ohio State Penitentiary. He was released on July 24, 1901 for good behavior after serving three years.

Porter published at least 12 stories while in prison to help support his daughter. Not wanting his readers to know he was in jail, he started using the pen name “O. Henry”.

It is believed that Porter got this name from one of the guards who was named Orrin Henry. Other sources say that the name was derived from his calling “Oh Henry!” after the family cat, Henry.

Porter also used a number of other nom de plume, most notably James L. Bliss, and continued using pen names full-time when he took a writing contract for Ainslee’s Magazine in New York City shortly after his release from prison.

Eventually, “O. Henry” became the name that became most recognized by magazine editors and the reading public, and therefore lead to the greatest fees for story sales. Accordingly after 1903 Porter used the name “O. Henry” exclusively.