Harper Lee ​

Nelle Harper Lee was an American novelist widely known for her novel "To Kill a Mockingbird", published in 1960. It won the 1961 Pulitzer Prize and has become a classic of modern American literature. It is widely taught in schools across the United States.

Quick Facts ​

• Only published one novel during her lifetime, "To Kill a Mockingbird".
• Won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1961.
• Was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2007 for her contribution to literature.
• "Go Set a Watchman", which was actually written before "To Kill a Mockingbird", was published posthumously in 2015.
• The manuscript for "Go Set a Watchman" was believed to be lost until it was discovered in 2014.
• Her work continues to be taught in schools worldwide.

Background ​

Lee was born in 1926 in Monroeville, Alabama, where she was raised. She was the youngest of four children born to Amasa Coleman Lee and Frances Finch Lee. After high school, she studied law at the University of Alabama but left before obtaining a degree to pursue her writing career in New York. In 1959, she went on to publish her first novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. The novel was a huge success, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1961 and has since become a classic in modern American literature. Despite the success of her first novel, she largely avoided publicity and was known to be reclusive. In 2015, her second novel Go Set a Watchman was published, which was actually written before To Kill a Mockingbird but never released. She died in 2016 at the age of 89.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Harper Lee's writing style is one of simplicity and profound observation of human behavior. Lee's unique narrative structure, character development, and exploration of themes such as racism and injustice have been influential in shaping American literature. Her skill to deal with heavy topics while still maintaining a fluid and engaging story is admired by many. As a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, her work has touched a wide range of audiences and sparked crucial dialogues in society.

Notable Works ​

• To Kill a Mockingbird (1960)
• Go Set a Watchman (2015)