Harper Lee

1. Harper Lee

2. 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

3. 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 19th century British Literature • Wanted to be the “Jane Austen of south Alabama”

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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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