Ambrose Bierce: Fierce and Furious

1. Ambrose Bierce: Fierce and Furious Soldier, Newspaperman, Cynic 1842-1913?

2. Background • Born in rural Miegs County, Ohio • 10th of 13 children • Parents impoverished but strongly devoted to education • House was filled with books • Attended high school, but left at 15 • Became a “printer’s devil” at a small Ohio newspaper

3. Wartime Experiences • Enlisted in Union army in 1861 • Fought in several small battles in and around Virginia • Was promoted to first lieutenant because of bravery in the field • Fought at the Battle of Shiloh—wounded • Fought at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain—serious head wound • Discharged in 1865 at end of war, but participated in a western campaign which took him to San Francisco in 1866

4. Personal Life • Married Mollie O’Day in 1871 • They had three children: two sons and a daughter • Both sons died before Bierce did. One committed suicide, the other died of complications from alcoholism • Mollie and he divorced in 1905 • Bierce had lasting effects from his war wounds and also suffered greatly from asthma

5. Journalism Career • Worked on a series of California newspapers • Worked for newspapers in England from 1872-1875 • Settled first in San Francisco, where he became a columnist, then in Washington D.C. • Eventually established as a critic of politicians and society and influential columnist

6. Literary Works • Considered a master of the short story • Deeply cynical and highly ironic • Trusted no one and valued nothing except honesty • His motto was “Nothing matters.” • His nickname was “Bitter Bierce” • Sardonic humor was his trademark • Delighted in exposing hypocrisy and double dealing

7. His Death…Disappearance • Bierce went to Mexico to write about the revolution • Joined up with Pancho Villa’s army in 1913 • Wrote a letter to a friend in which he stated, “As to me, I leave here tomorrow for an unknown destination.” • He was last seen on Dec. 26, 1913 • Several writers have dealt with his disappearance in novels and movies.