Samuel Arthur Derieux was an American short story writer and educator born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1881. He pursued his higher education across several Southern and Midwestern institutions, attending Wofford College before earning his bachelor's degree from Richmond College in 1904. He later completed graduate work at Johns Hopkins University and obtained his Master of Arts degree from the University of Chicago in 1910. Following his studies, Derieux taught English as an assistant professor at Richmond College, Missouri State Normal School, and Wake Forest College.\n\nIn 1917, Derieux transitioned from academia to publishing, joining the editorial staff of The American Magazine in New York City. This move marked a highly productive period in his writing career. He became widely recognized for his short fiction, which frequently focused on themes of hunting, dogs, and life in the American South. His stories resonated with contemporary readers, appearing regularly in The American Magazine throughout the late 1910s and early 1920s.\n\nDerieux's literary contributions were highly regarded by his peers. He was among the inaugural winners of the prestigious O. Henry Memorial Award and became the first author to win the award three times, receiving honors in 1919, 1921, and posthumously in 1922. His promising career was cut short when he died of appendicitis in Manhattan in 1922 at the age of 41.
