O. Henry Sculptures, Greensboro
The three-piece sculpture group includes depictions of a 7" x 14" book, with a little boy peeking onto the pages, O. Henry, and his small dog, Lovey.The book is shown as open to a page in one of O. Henry's most notable works, The Gift of the Magi.
Images: O. Henry | Dog Lovely
Inscription on plaque associated with sculptures: O. HENRY / WILLIAM SYDNEY PORTER / 1862-1910 / O. HENRY WAS AN INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED LITERARY / FIGURE WHO PUBLISHED 274 SHORT STORIES AND TWELVE / POEMS FILLING FOURTEEN VOLUMES. BORN IN GREENSBORO, / HE ATTENDED HIS AUNT LINA PORTER'S SCHOOL ON WEST MARKET / STREET AND WORKED IN HIS UNCLE CLARK PORTER'S DRUGSTORE / ON SOUTH ELM STREET. O. HENRY COLLECTIONS MAY BE FOUND / IN THE GREENSBORO HISTORICAL MUSEUM AND THE GREENSBORO / PUBLIC LIBRARY. / MARIA J. KIRBY-SMITH, SCULPTOR / SCULPTURE PROVIDED BY SOUTHERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY / PRESENTED BY O. HENRY FESTIVAL, INC. / APRIL 8, 1985
April 8, 1985
36.074940 , -79.790100
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"Celebrating O. Henry," Greensboro News and Record, April 9, 1985
"William Sydney Porter Biography," Biography.com (accessed June 2, 2014) Link
Allen, Christy E. "William Sidney Porter (O. Henry)," NCpedia.org, (accessed June 2, 2014) Link
Bass, Erin Z. "Happy Birthday to O. Henry!," Deep South Magazine (accessed June 2, 2014) Link
Burton, W. C. "To a child's eye, O. Henry is an exalted figure," Greensboro News and Record, April 7, 1985.
Herndon, Charles. "O. Henry, Lovey home," Greensboro News and Record, April 9, 1985.
Jones, Abe D., Jr. "Writers have duties, says O. Henry speaker," Greensboro News and Record, April 9, 1985.
O. Henry Hotel. "Greensboro Historic, Cultural Sites & Museums" (accessed June 2, 2014) Link
Williams, Jeaneane. 2006. "O. Henry Festival," NCpedia.org, (accessed June 2, 2014) Link
“Maria J. Kirby-Smith,” Maria J. Kirby-Smith, mjkirby-smith.com, (accessed August 4, 2023) Link
Yes
Bronze
Southern Life Insurance Company
Greensboro held a week-long celebration honoring O. Henry and the unveiling of the three-piece set of sculptures located downtown. The commemorative week was held 75 years after William Porter's death. The commemoration included historical tours, the sculpture unveiling, plays, art exhibits, readings of some of the author's works, words from the mayor, and a O. Henry Patrons Dinner. Many of O. Henry's descendants were present throughout the week, including his children, William and Charlotte.
William Porter, often described as a shy man, was born in 1862 and died at the age of 48. While in his teens, Porter helped his Uncle at a local drugstore on Elm Street in downtown Greensboro. At the age of 20, Porter left Greensboro for Texas where he worked in a bank and published a magazine.
Known predominantly by his pen name, O. Henry, Porter is renowned for his 274 short stories and his collection of poems.
The sculptures are located on the northwest corner of Elm Street (301 N. Elm Street) and Bellemeade Street in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The three-sculpture group is located in a small park area, surrounded by shade trees, shrubbery, and seasonal plantings.
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