Harper Lee (born April 28, 1926, Monroeville, Alabama, U.S.—died February 19, 2016, Monroeville) was an American writer nationally acclaimed for her novel To Kill a Mockingbird (1960).

Harper Lee’s father was Amasa Coleman Lee, a lawyer who by all accounts resembled the hero of her novel in his sound citizenship and warmheartedness. The plot of To Kill a Mockingbird is based in part on his unsuccessful youthful defense of two African American men convicted of murder. Lee studied law at the University of Alabama (spending a summer as an exchange student at the University of Oxford), but she left for New York City without earning a degree. In New York she worked as an airline reservationist but soon received financial aid from friends that allowed her to write full-time. With the help of an editor, she transformed a series of short stories into To Kill a Mockingbird.

Sourced from Britannica.

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To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, published in 1960, is a profound exploration of racial injustice and moral growth set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the 1930s. Narrated by a young girl named Scout Finch, the story unfolds as her father, Atticus Finch, a principled lawyer, defends Tom Robinson, a Black man falsely accused of raping a white woman. The novel illuminates the deeply ingrained racial prejudices and societal norms of the American South during this period, emphasizing the moral complexities faced by individuals in the pursuit of justice.

The title of the novel holds symbolic significance, as Atticus imparts a crucial lesson to his children: “it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” This metaphor underscores the innocence and harmlessness of certain individuals in the narrative, such as Tom Robinson and Boo Radley, who become victims of societal injustice. To Kill a Mockingbird is celebrated for its timeless relevance, addressing themes of empathy, compassion, and the enduring struggle against discrimination.

Significant adaptations include the 1962 film starring Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch, which won three Academy Awards, and a 2018 stage production adapted by Aaron Sorkin. The novel has been a staple in school curriculums for its powerful investigation of morality and justice.

Sourced from SparkNotes.