Mystery: The Disappearance of Ambrose Bierce

Ambrose Bierce was an influential journalist, satirist, writer of poetry and horror whose works were said to have inspired authors as diverse as H.P Lovecraft and Earnest Hemmingway. And his fame makes it all the more mysterious that, in 1913, he disappeared without a trace.

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Script by THG

#history #thehistoryguy #biography

[joshpulliam]

Thank you for bringing Ambrose Bierce’s story to life. When I was a Civil War reenactor I had the privilege to be an extra in the movie “Ambrose Bierce, Civil War Stories”. This movie portrays three of his Civil War short stories including An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge and One Kind of Officer.

[boogerie]

"About six years before the disappearance of Ambrose Small, Ambrose Bierce had disappeared. Newspapers all over the world had made much of the mystery of Ambrose Bierce. But what could the disappearance of one Ambrose, in Texas, have to do with the disappearance of another Ambrose, in Canada? Was somebody collecting Ambroses?" WILD TALENTS Charles Fort

[bwilliams]

I have loved Bierce since I first came across my Granddad's copy of 'The Devil's Dictionary' when I was about 13. I have sought and read his works in the 36 years since then. His writings have allowed me to expand my vocabulary with his glorious style - which made his insults all the more epic. 'The Devil's Dictionary' (technically 'The Enlarged Devil's Dictionary') remains my favorite of his works, and I keep many of his definitions handy: 'POSITIVE (adj): Mistaken at the top of one's voice.'

[SpaceLordof]

Bierce’s The Devil’s Dictionary is a masterpiece of satire.

[NoahSpurrier]

A Twilight Zone episode, “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”, was made from this story he wrote.

[Dfturcott]

I remember 20 some years ago in an american high school history class, our teacher dropped the line that Ambrose said “war is gods way of teaching Americans geography”, it’s odd when you hear something and know in real time how you will never forget it.

[jamesrosa]

A last item of interest: I believe Gregory Peck starred in the movie, Old Gringo, a movie that supposes a possible end of the life of Ambrose Bierce.

[ronaldguild]

I started watching this reluctantly, and I enjoyed every minute.

[michaelmanning]

One of Gregory Peck's last films is "Old Gringo" in which he plays a Bierce to befriends and falls out with a Pancho Villa-like personality (Jimmy Smits).

[barbarajolley]

Thank you for the Bierce story. I taught both "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" and "Chickamauga." Bierce himself seems like one of his characters. I hope we will find one day what happened to him...or maybe not...:)

[marshawoods]

I’ve been listening to you for years. I’ve listen to others, but I think you are the best.❤

[harrymills]

The Devil's Dictionary is a great work.

[lvtiguy]

Thank you History Guy for this remembrance of Bierce. I apparently made it to my mid 50s (including education through college in Indiana) without learning of Bierce and his works. Luckily, learning is a lifelong pursuit. I will be visiting my local bookstore today.

[snotgurgletroll]

Never heard of this I'm going to the library!!!

[orno]

bravo sir, I’ve been waiting for a scholarly Ambrose Bierce treatment as I have read all of his supernatural tales, the devil’s dictionary and most of his Civil War stories. He is a fascinating character, thank you.

[rocketmana]

I attended the University of Akron for my history and archaeology degrees where they have the Ambrose Bierce Library.

[ScoutSniper]

I can't imagine writing a letter in Chihuahua...
It's hard enough just to do it in Golden Retriever.

[nancycox]

Thank you for this. We are studying Bierce in Lit class and now I am down the rabbit hole of Bierce.

[joanhoffman]

One of the best American short story writers, and someone I highly recommend. I have read many of his stories throughout the years, and it seems there are some I’ve missed. “Oil of Dog”? Time to start the hunt!

[quinnsipsy]

Hey @thehistoryguy when I was in college, several years ago at this point, I took Louisiana history as an elective course. I learned about a low level civil war that took place in Louisiana during reconstruction, which culminated in a battle in New Orleans. You are very good at videos covering obscure topics like this and I would love to see you cover it.