Harper Lee
Harper Lee, born Nelle Harper Lee on April 28, 1926, in Monroeville, Alabama, is a renowned American novelist celebrated for her poignant novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Published in 1960, this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel has become a classic of modern American literature, addressing serious issues such as racial injustice and moral growth.
The novel's protagonist, Scout Finch, navigates a world of prejudice and learns invaluable lessons from her father, Atticus Finch, a principled lawyer representing an innocent black man accused of raping a white woman. The story is told with warmth and humor, despite the serious topics it covers.
For nearly six decades, To Kill a Mockingbird stood as Lee's only published book. However, in 2015, the related novel Go Set a Watchman was published, offering readers insight into Lee's original vision for Scout and Atticus Finch.
Learn more about her life by visiting the Biography of Harper Lee page.
Did you know?
- Harper Lee was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2007 for her contribution to literature.
- Her nicknames included "Nelle," which is her first name spelled backward.
- Harper Lee and Truman Capote, another famed author, were childhood friends.