author
Edward J. (Edward Joseph) O'Brien
1890–1941
A sharp-eyed editor and anthologist, he helped shape how American readers discovered short fiction in the early 20th century. His annual best-of collections gave lasting visibility to many writers and helped define the short story as a serious literary form.
1 Audiobook
The Forgotten Threshold: A Journal of Arthur Middleton
by Edward J. (Edward Joseph) O'Brien
About the author
Edward J. O'Brien, born Edward Joseph Harrington O'Brien in Boston on December 10, 1890, was an American writer, poet, editor, and anthologist. He is best remembered for creating and editing the influential annual series that became The Best American Short Stories, a project that brought wide attention to standout short fiction published each year.
Beyond that landmark series, he also worked on other short-story anthologies and wrote poetry and criticism of his own. His editorial taste and strong opinions made him an important figure in literary culture during the first half of the 20th century, especially for readers and writers interested in the short story.
O'Brien died on February 24, 1941. Although he is not as widely known today as some of the authors he championed, his role in preserving, judging, and promoting short fiction gave him a lasting place in American literary history.