Harper LeeHarper Lee

Her FamilyHer FamilyMonroeville, AlabamaMother – Frances Cunningham Finch

Lee – was a homemakerFather – 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 ChildhoodHer ChildhoodBorn April 28, 1926Nelle 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”

College LifeCollege LifeDidn’t fit in with the sorority she

joined at the University of AlabamaJoined 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…In New York…Spent eight years working odd jobsShowed a manuscript to a book editorUnder his guidance, she spent 2 ½

years rewriting and finished her novelTo 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?What about Dill?Dill’s real life name is Truman CapoteThey became friends in kindergarten in the

1930sLived next door to each other

◦ Truman lived with his aunts and unclesWrote stories together using an old typewriterSpent summers with them in AlabamaAfter Lee’s success, Capote began to resent

herRemained friends with Lee during the 60s and

70s but fell into alcohol and drugsSponged off high society and talk-show

appearancesDied in 1984 after losing touch with Lee years

before

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