Harper Lee

Her Family Monroeville, Alabama Mother – Frances Cunningham Finch Lee – was a homemaker Father – Amasa Cole Lee – practiced law ◦ Great respect for the law and strong social conscience ◦ Once defended two black men accused of murdering a white storekeeper  Both clients, father and son, were hanged

Her Childhood Born April 28, 1926 Nelle Harper Lee (grandmother’s name is Ellen) As a kid, she was an unruly tomboy ◦ She fought, talked back to teachers, was bored with school, and resisted conformity (my idol ) Had a gifted English teacher in high school who introduced her to challenging literature and the rigors of writing well Loved 19 th century British Literature ◦ Wanted to be the “Jane Austen of south Alabama”

College Life Didn’t fit in with the sorority she joined at the University of Alabama Joined the campus newspaper ◦ Became the editor-in-chief of the Rammer Jammer, a humor magazine on campus Entered law school but “loathed” it ◦ Went to New York to pursue her writing

In New York… Spent eight years working odd jobs Showed a manuscript to a book editor Under his guidance, she spent 2 ½ years rewriting and finished her novel To Kill a Mockingbird was published in 1960 ◦ Was on the bestseller list for 88 weeks ◦ Won a Pulitzer Prize in 1961 She never wrote another novel

What about Dill? Dill’s real life name is Truman Capote They became friends in kindergarten in the 1930s Lived next door to each other ◦ Truman lived with his aunts and uncles Wrote stories together using an old typewriter Spent summers with them in Alabama After Lee’s success, Capote began to resent her Remained friends with Lee during the 60s and 70s but fell into alcohol and drugs Sponged off high society and talk-show appearances Died in 1984 after losing touch with Lee years before

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