Harper Lee...
Early Life...
Harper Lee, born in Monroeville, Alabama on April 28 1926 is one of the most mysterious writers that literature has ever seen. Herself and many elements of her life have been woven into her only ever novel "To Kill a Mockingbird', published in July 1960.
Lee was one of four, and the youngest. She was born to parents Amasa Coleman Lee and Francis Cunningham Finch Lee. Lee was to believed to be raised mainly by her father, her mothered was terminally ill and was thought to have suffered from bipolar disorder. Lee's father worked as a lawyer for the state legislature from the years 1926-1938. Whilst growing up Harper Lee was seen as a loner and a tomboy. Many of her school days were spent with her close friend Truman Capote, who was seen as a wimp and a sensitive boy. Lee picked many-a-fight sticking up for her only friend. They were vastly different beings but both shared in having difficult home lives. Capote lived with one of his mother's relatives after being abandoned by his parents at a young age.
The Book...
After developing a love for writing and literature and graduating from high school, Lee enrolled at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, she attended for a year and then studied law at The University of Alabama for the next five years. Whilst at Huntingdon College, Lee was a member of the Literary Honor Society. During her study years Lee wrote and developed short stories and worked as an editor for the campus magazine "Rammer-Jammer". She never completed her law degree but studied for a year at Oxford University in England. Lee moved to New York in 1950 and worked as a clerk for Eastern Airlines.
During her first few years in New York, Lee befriended a Broadway lyricist and composer Martin Brown. In 1956, by which time Lee was well into writing 'To Kill a Mockingbird', Brown presented her with a Christmas gift consisting of a years worth of financial support so that she would be able to write full time. During those months, Martin Brown acquainted Lee with an agent, Maurice Crain, who helped Lee in getting a publishing firm interested in her novel, which at the time was called 'Go set a Watchman' and later, 'Atticus'. In 1959 the Manuscript 'To Kill a Mockingbird' was finalized and edited with the help of Tod Hohoff.
In late 1959 Lee met up again with her old friend Capote and helped to assist him in the article he was writing for 'The New Yorker'. Lee traveled to Kansas to interview the small Kansas farming community on the impact of the murder of four members of the Clutter Family. With Lee's easygoing style and her unpretentious manner Capote was successful on gaining information for the article. When returning to New York the two got a chance to interview Richard Hickock and Perry Smith, the two on trial for suspected murder. Lee then continued with her work, although always avoiding publicity and attention. Capote concentrated in his article which then developed into one of his most successful novels.
Later Life...
'To Kill a Mockingbird' was published in July 1960 and almost immediately became a success. Over time it was published through many printing firms, the main two being 'Book-of-the-Month Club' and 'Literary Guild'. Lee's character was portrayed through Jean Louise Finch (or Scout). The girl being a Tomboy, getting involved in fights and not having many friends. Many of the book character's personalities and traits are based on elements of Lee's life.
The novel went on to win many prizes and awards, but as the book went on to become more popular Lee became more of a recluse, dodging publicity and interviews. It was alleged that Lee was writing a second novel, The Reverend, but she never did. Not a thing from Lee has been published since the mysterious novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. In the later years (1970's and 1980's),Harper Lee had made her appearances scarce, never answering questions about what is now know as 'One of the best books fiction has seen'. This has left people wondering what her perceptions of the characters are and what her intentions for the book. It has been very much an important aspect to her life and Lee wants to leave that untarnished.
Harper Lee, born in Monroeville, Alabama on April 28 1926 is one of the most mysterious writers that literature has ever seen. Herself and many elements of her life have been woven into her only ever novel "To Kill a Mockingbird', published in July 1960.
Lee was one of four, and the youngest. She was born to parents Amasa Coleman Lee and Francis Cunningham Finch Lee. Lee was to believed to be raised mainly by her father, her mothered was terminally ill and was thought to have suffered from bipolar disorder. Lee's father worked as a lawyer for the state legislature from the years 1926-1938. Whilst growing up Harper Lee was seen as a loner and a tomboy. Many of her school days were spent with her close friend Truman Capote, who was seen as a wimp and a sensitive boy. Lee picked many-a-fight sticking up for her only friend. They were vastly different beings but both shared in having difficult home lives. Capote lived with one of his mother's relatives after being abandoned by his parents at a young age.
The Book...
After developing a love for writing and literature and graduating from high school, Lee enrolled at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, she attended for a year and then studied law at The University of Alabama for the next five years. Whilst at Huntingdon College, Lee was a member of the Literary Honor Society. During her study years Lee wrote and developed short stories and worked as an editor for the campus magazine "Rammer-Jammer". She never completed her law degree but studied for a year at Oxford University in England. Lee moved to New York in 1950 and worked as a clerk for Eastern Airlines.
During her first few years in New York, Lee befriended a Broadway lyricist and composer Martin Brown. In 1956, by which time Lee was well into writing 'To Kill a Mockingbird', Brown presented her with a Christmas gift consisting of a years worth of financial support so that she would be able to write full time. During those months, Martin Brown acquainted Lee with an agent, Maurice Crain, who helped Lee in getting a publishing firm interested in her novel, which at the time was called 'Go set a Watchman' and later, 'Atticus'. In 1959 the Manuscript 'To Kill a Mockingbird' was finalized and edited with the help of Tod Hohoff.
In late 1959 Lee met up again with her old friend Capote and helped to assist him in the article he was writing for 'The New Yorker'. Lee traveled to Kansas to interview the small Kansas farming community on the impact of the murder of four members of the Clutter Family. With Lee's easygoing style and her unpretentious manner Capote was successful on gaining information for the article. When returning to New York the two got a chance to interview Richard Hickock and Perry Smith, the two on trial for suspected murder. Lee then continued with her work, although always avoiding publicity and attention. Capote concentrated in his article which then developed into one of his most successful novels.
Later Life...
'To Kill a Mockingbird' was published in July 1960 and almost immediately became a success. Over time it was published through many printing firms, the main two being 'Book-of-the-Month Club' and 'Literary Guild'. Lee's character was portrayed through Jean Louise Finch (or Scout). The girl being a Tomboy, getting involved in fights and not having many friends. Many of the book character's personalities and traits are based on elements of Lee's life.
The novel went on to win many prizes and awards, but as the book went on to become more popular Lee became more of a recluse, dodging publicity and interviews. It was alleged that Lee was writing a second novel, The Reverend, but she never did. Not a thing from Lee has been published since the mysterious novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. In the later years (1970's and 1980's),Harper Lee had made her appearances scarce, never answering questions about what is now know as 'One of the best books fiction has seen'. This has left people wondering what her perceptions of the characters are and what her intentions for the book. It has been very much an important aspect to her life and Lee wants to leave that untarnished.