Harper Lee, 89, Author

Harper Lee is the author behind the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. The famous book eventually adapted into a movie with Gregory Peck as the lead. She also wrote the sequel to it, called Go Set a Watchman, which was well received. Although she wasn’t able to finish her degree from the University of Alabama, she never gave up on her dream of becoming a writer. Harper soon decided to relocate to New York City to pursue her writing, but she struggled for some time until the Brown family gave her a present wherein they will support her for one year to write full time. The rest was history!

The author had only two novels to her name, but they were instant hits. To Kill a Mockingbird highlighted the racism happening in her hometown in Alabama. Many were surprised that there was a sequel to it, and when it was released, copies sold out immediately. Harper Lee did not get married since the one she loved did not reciprocate her feelings because he was already married.