O. Henry as a Boy, Greensboro

Source:  O. Henry as a Boy, Greensboro. Photo courtesy of downtowngreensboro.org

  • Monument Name

    O. Henry as a Boy, Greensboro

  • Type

    Sculpture

  • Subjects

    Historic Cultural Figures

  • Creator

    Ogden Deal, Sculptor

  • City

    Greensboro

  • County

    Guilford

  • Description

    This life-sized cast iron statue represents the celebrated author O. Henry as a boy. O. Henry was born and spent his childhood in Greensboro, so a statue of him as a child is fitting. The boy is wearing shorts and a plain shirt; he is barefoot. The child stands on a base and an attached column supports him from behind.

  • Inscription

    At base: O. HENRY / AS A BOY / SCULPTURE BY OGDEN DEAL

  • Custodian

    City of Greensboro

  • Dedication Date

    April 25, 1972

  • Decade

    1970s

  • Geographic Coordinates

    36.075220 , -79.787380

  • Supporting Sources

  • Public Site

    Yes

  • Materials & Techniques

    Cast iron

  • Sponsors

    Greensboro Beautiful

  • Monument Dedication and Unveiling

    On April 25, 1972, this sculpture was dedicated at the Greensboro Historical Museum garden. Ogdon Deal, the sculptor, made remarks, as did museum director William Moore and city council member Mary Seymour. The Reverend W. Clarkson Porter, cousin of the author, gave the invocation.

  • Subject Notes

    O. Henry was the pen name of William Sydney Porter (September 11, 1862 – June 5, 1910), best known for The Gift of the Magi, The Ransom of Red Chief, The Cop and the Anthem, and A Retrieved Reformation. Porter was born in and spent his childhood in Greensboro, NC.

  • Location

    This sculpture is located in the Greensboro Historical Museum Garden at the southwest corner of East Lindsay Street and North Church Street, Greensboro, NC. Edward R. Murrow Bust stands a few steps away from the sculpture.

  • Landscape

    The memorial stands on the grass, surrounded by evergreen bushes and greenery.

  • Post Dedication Use

    Once annually, the Greensboro Historical Museum, where this sculpture is located, presents several evenings of O. Henry plays.

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