Harper Lee Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

Harper Lee was an American Novelist and Author in the Poetry and Fiction industry. Her fame started when she wrote her first book titled ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and ‘Go Set a Watchman.' The miniature she shared about her background settings gave us a chance to grasp the Mockingbird backdrop. It was at that time where everyone wishes to have a future blog, hourly Facebook updates and Twitter feeds. The results make it even harder to understand why she turned down her social fame.

According to legends who knew her, Lee wasn’t a universal fit persona. She would rather write her highly-lionized book than post her current status on many online mainstreams. Even then her Taurus individuality allowed her to have fun and make friends in the process. It wasn’t by chance that she cherished the Alabama community where she spent her life. But she respected her own privacy and opted to let her well-written books to speak about her life.

Childhood And Early Life

On 28th April 1926, Nelle Harper Lee was born to Frances Cunningham Finch Lee and Amasa Coleman Lee. She spent her childhood days in a small town of Monroeville in Alabama. Her father was a former proprietor and newspaper editor. He was also a lawyer at the state legislature from 1926 to 1938. Lee’s childhood memos are embarked in her passion for reading and tomboy life. She loved to make friends with her neighborhood age mates. This brought back her friendship with one Truman Capote who took the role of Dill in her Mockingbird novel.

From 1944 to 1945, Lee went to Huntingdon College in Alabama. She later went to pursue law at the University of Alabama in 1945 to 1949. She respected her precious time and went further to study abroad at Oxford University. In later 1950s, Lee worked as a reservation clerk for Eastern Airlines.

Lee then selected writing as her innate career. As Harper proceeded further, she had a weak lifestyle. She used to travel far and beyond just to take care of her father’s health. Further, she used to work in Holcombe, as a Kansas research assistant in 1959. Ever since her childhood days, Lee and Capote cherished their friendship.

Later Life

In 1960, Harper Lee managed to publish her very first novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ after spending her time reading and writing. Her editor, Tay Hohoff also helped her in the process. The book earned her a Pulitzer Prize despite negative and positive reviews. At that time, the novel took the highest rank and sold more than 16 million copies. Her intention for the book was for readers to understand different characteristics of human beings. In 1962, she watched her first book as a play watched Gregory Peck play as Atticus.

In 1966, Lee’s work was named to the National Council of Arts. Ever since, she continues to receive awards. His existence went silent when she opted to live in both Monroeville and New York. She granted few to no interviews and speeches. Since her debut book, she later published few essays such as ‘Love-In Other Words’ in 1961. She then wrote ‘When Children Discover America’ in 1965.

Controversy

Early July 2015, Harper Lee published her second book ‘Go Set a Watchman.' However, few sentiments weren't idealistic according to her writing style. The reader’s opinions brought both negative and positive critics. The news triggered heated reactions, including an alarming response from some readers who staggered about the Watchman’s content. Some suggested that it will never live up to the 'Mockingbird’ standard.

In 2015, several people were interviewed and conflict followed in between. Some suggested that Harper Lee wrote the book when she wasn’t mentally fit or even confused. Probably this is what made her to live her own life from there henceforth. On February 19, 2016, Harper Lee died while in her sleep in Monroeville, Alabama.