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Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce (June 24, 1842 [2] – c.1914 [3]) was an American short story writer, journalist, poet, and American Civil War veteran. His book The Devil's Dictionary was named one of "The 100 Greatest Masterpieces of American Literature" by the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration. [4]
Jun 20, 2024 · Ambrose Bierce (born June 24, 1842, Meigs county, Ohio, U.S.—died January 1914?, Mexico?) was an American newspaperman, wit, satirist, and author of sardonic short stories based on themes of death and horror. His life ended in an unsolved mystery.
Opinions differ as to whether Ambrose Bierce, who was a 71-year-old Civil War veteran at the time of his disappearance, died in Chihuahua, Mexico, while riding with Pancho Villa; by his own hand in Texas or the Grand Canyon; or as an old man in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Born: June 24, 1842. Died: 1914. Known for his satirical wit and sardonic view of human nature, Ambrose Bierce earned the nickname "Bitter Bierce." His mocking cynicism is on full display in The Devil's Dictionary, a work that originally appeared under the title The Cynic’s Word Book.
Ambrose Bierce. 1842–1914. Photo by Bettmann / Getty Images. Ambrose Bierce's literary reputation is based primarily on his short stories about the Civil War and the supernatural—a body of work that makes up a relatively small part of his total output.
Ambrose Bierce, c. 1866. The real Owl Creek Bridge is in Tennessee. Bierce likely changed the setting to northern Alabama because the actual bridge did not have a railroad near it at the time of the story. The story explores the concept of "dying with dignity".
Caustic wit and a strong sense of horror mark works, including In the Midst of Life (1891-1892) and The Devil's Dictionary (1906), of American writer Ambrose Gwinett Bierce. People today best know this editorialist, journalist, and fabulist for his short story, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge and his lexicon.
