O. Henry 
The Four Million (Annotated) 

• This edition includes the following editor’s introduction: ‘The Four Million’ and the literary style of O. Henry

Originally published in 1906, “The Four Million” is the second collection of short stories by American writer O. Henry. Inspired by his experiences as a fugitive and in prison, these stories address themes of poverty, persecution, and hope. Considered one of O. Henry’s finest work, the collection showcases the author’s empathetic and hopeful outlook on poverty and American life.



“The Four Million” refers to the population of New York City, where O. Henry was living at the time of its composition. Containing twenty-five works of short fiction, the collection includes several of the author’s best-known stories, such as
‘The Gift of the Magi.’