Harper Lee Biography
A recent photo of Harper Lee
Harper Lee was born in the small town of Monroeville, Alabama; April 28th 1926. Born to the father Amasa Coleman Lee, a newspaper editor and well respected lawyer; her mother was Frances Cunningham Finch Lee. Although a tomboy, Lee was an avid reader from a young age. Many of the circumstances and characters that occur throughout the novel ring true to Lee's life, and upbringing. Her childhood friend Truman Capote, who would further become a famous author as well; is the basis of which the character Dill is set. When Lee was 5 years old, in 1931, a court trial took place in a neighbouring county, 9 black men were on trial for the rape of 2 white women. The trial followed similar to the book, with the men being proven innocent on the bases of medical grounds, however, in similarity to the book, the all white jury found them guilty and they were all killed.
Harper Lee attended Monroe County High School, Alabama. After finishing school Lee studied a law degree at the University of Alabama from 1945-1949, whilst a year of exchange in Oxford University. With six months left to finish the degree, Lee moved to New York to pursue a career as an author. To sustain herself she worked as a clerk for various airline services in the 1950's. She also accompanied her childhood friend Truman Capote as a research assistant for her book Cold Blood.
After a 2 and a half year process of writing and drafting the book, it was finally published in 1961; when she 34 years old. This was her only novel that was ever published, regardless of its success, she never has released anything since. Only ever having had one interview there are many questions surrounding her ideas behind different themes and characters. After the release and whirl wind of success, Lee moved from New York to her home town of Monroeville to avoid the public eye.
Harper Lee attended Monroe County High School, Alabama. After finishing school Lee studied a law degree at the University of Alabama from 1945-1949, whilst a year of exchange in Oxford University. With six months left to finish the degree, Lee moved to New York to pursue a career as an author. To sustain herself she worked as a clerk for various airline services in the 1950's. She also accompanied her childhood friend Truman Capote as a research assistant for her book Cold Blood.
After a 2 and a half year process of writing and drafting the book, it was finally published in 1961; when she 34 years old. This was her only novel that was ever published, regardless of its success, she never has released anything since. Only ever having had one interview there are many questions surrounding her ideas behind different themes and characters. After the release and whirl wind of success, Lee moved from New York to her home town of Monroeville to avoid the public eye.