It’s been 150 years since William S. Porter‘s birth and now Grits for Breakfast blogger Scott Henson has launched a campaign to have President Barack Obama issue a posthumous pardon that would, finally, clear the writer’s name.
Porter – better known by pen name O. Henry – was accused and ultimately convicted of embezzling from First National Bank of Austin where he worked as a teller; the writer maintained his innocence.
Henson’s petition notes that Obama quoted O. Henry when pardoning the White House turkey, and that now it’s time to pardon the man himself. “Pardoning William S. Porter would signal that you understand and value the true purpose of executive clemency powers in the justice system – not just as a symbol but also a remedy for both actual innocence and ‘unfortunate guilt,’ one that provides a healing salve even for century-old wounds,” read the petition, which can be found here.
This article appears in May 18 • 2012.