Henry Sydnor Harrison was an early twentieth-century American novelist and short story writer whose works achieved significant popularity during the 1910s and 1920s. Born in Sewanee, Tennessee, in 1880, Harrison pursued his higher education at Columbia University, graduating in 1900. He maintained a strong connection to his alma mater, which awarded him an honorary Master of Arts degree in 1913. His rising literary reputation was further cemented in 1914 when he was elected as a member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters.\n\nHarrison began his writing career contributing to prominent periodicals, including The Atlantic Monthly, often writing under the pseudonym "Henry Second." He transitioned successfully to longer fiction, achieving widespread acclaim with his early novels. His 1911 novel, Queed, and his 1913 follow-up, V.V.'s Eyes, were both highly regarded by contemporary readers and critics, establishing him as a notable voice in American fiction of the era.\n\nThroughout the subsequent decade, Harrison continued to publish novels and shorter fiction. His later works include Angela's Business (1915), When I Come Back (1919), and Saint Teresa (1922), as well as Marriage (1923), a collection of short stories. He is also remembered for his suspenseful short story "Miss Hinch," which details a midnight pursuit through the streets of New York City. Harrison passed away in 1930, leaving behind a body of work that captured the social dynamics of early twentieth-century America.
