• North Carolina was the birthplace of O. Henry (real name: William Sydney Porter), the famous American short story writer who began writing his tales while incarcerated. Each year, Greensboro hosts an O. Henry festival. His most famous stories include "The Ransom of Red Chief" and "The Gift of the Magi."
  • Asheville native, Thomas Wolfe, wrote Look Homeward Angel. You can visit his old house, which has been converted into a museum in his honor.