Ambrose Bierce (1842–circa 1914) was an American writer, journalist, and Civil War veteran, best known for his sardonic wit and macabre short stories. He gained fame through his The Devil’s Dictionary, a satirical lexicon of cynical definitions, and his short stories of horror and the supernatural, particularly those set during the American Civil War. His work blends psychological insight, vivid realism, and a deep cynicism shaped by his war experiences.

A Few Fun Facts:

▪ Bierce fought in the Civil War for the Union Army, and his firsthand combat experience deeply influenced his fiction.
▪ His nickname was “Bitter Bierce” due to his famously acerbic wit.
▪ He mysteriously disappeared in 1914 while traveling with Pancho Villa’s army during the Mexican Revolution—his fate remains unknown.
▪ An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge is considered one of the most anthologized American short stories.