Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them.
Harper Lee – To Kill a Mockingbird
Seeing True Selves
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Harper Lee, born Nelle Harper Lee on April 28, 1926, in Monroeville, Alabama, was an American novelist best known for her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Lee grew up in a small town, much like the setting of her famous novel, and developed a lifelong friendship with fellow writer Truman Capote. After attending the University of Alabama, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in writing. “To Kill a Mockingbird,” published in 1960, was Lee’s only published novel for more than five decades, although she did contribute essays to various publications. The novel became an instant classic, praised for its portrayal of racial injustice in the American South. Lee lived a private life and largely avoided the spotlight after the immense success of her novel. She passed away on February 19, 2016, leaving behind a literary legacy that continues to resonate with readers around the world.