Edward Joseph Harrington O'Brien was an American writer, poet, editor, and anthologist who left a lasting mark on the landscape of American literature. Born in 1890, O'Brien is most widely recognized for establishing The Best American Short Stories, an annual anthology series that began in 1915 under the title The Best Short Stories of 1915. His curated selections became a prestigious benchmark for short fiction, helping to define and elevate the genre during the early twentieth century.
In 1919, O'Brien relocated to Europe, where he spent the remainder of his life and career. His personal life was closely intertwined with the literary world; he married English writer Romer Wilson in 1923, and following her death in 1932, he married German writer Ruth Gorgel in 1934. Throughout his years abroad, O'Brien continued his editorial work, eventually serving as the European story editor for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's studios in England.
O'Brien passed away from heart failure at his home in Gerrards Cross, England, in 1941. Following his death, the stewardship of his famous anthology series was taken over by Martha Foley, who maintained O'Brien's established format for several decades. Today, the series he founded remains one of the most respected and longest-running literary anthologies in the United States.
