Ambrose Bierce
Biography
Ambrose Bierce (1842–c. 1914) was an American short story writer, journalist, and satirist known for his dark wit and horror fiction. A Civil War veteran who fought at Shiloh and Chickamauga, Bierce drew on his battlefield experiences for some of the most powerful war stories in American literature. As a San Francisco journalist, he became the most feared literary critic on the West Coast. His supernatural tales rival Poe’s for psychological intensity, and The Devil’s Dictionary remains a masterpiece of sardonic humor. Bierce disappeared in Mexico in late 1913, his fate one of American literature’s enduring mysteries.
Common themes in Ambrose Bierce's work
Civil War fiction
A recurring theme throughout Ambrose Bierce's writing.
Horror and supernatural
A recurring theme throughout Ambrose Bierce's writing.
Sardonic wit
A recurring theme throughout Ambrose Bierce's writing.
American satire
A recurring theme throughout Ambrose Bierce's writing.
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Why Ambrose Bierce is still read today
Bierce’s war stories anticipated modern literary realism, and his horror fiction continues to influence the genre. The Devil’s Dictionary is quoted more than almost any other American satirical work. On TextStack you can read Bierce’s major works free online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ambrose Bierce?
Ambrose Bierce (1842–c. 1914) was an American writer known for Civil War stories, supernatural horror, and The Devil’s Dictionary. He disappeared mysteriously in Mexico in 1913.
Where can I read Ambrose Bierce online?
You can read The Devil’s Dictionary, In the Midst of Life, and Can Such Things Be? free online on TextStack.
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