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Why did Nathaniel Hawthorne write a campaign biography of Franklin Pierce?
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Nathaniel Hawthorne
Nathaniel Hawthorne's ancestors in Salem, Massachusetts, were Puritans named Hathorne. He added a w to his name when he began writing.
Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote a campaign biography of his longtime friend Franklin Pierce primarily for financial reasons. By 1852, Hawthorneās literary works, including The Blithedale Romance, had not provided the steady income he required to support his family.1
Hawthorne hoped that by supporting Pierceās presidential bid, he would secure a lucrative political appointment. His efforts were successful; after Pierce won the 1852 election, Hawthorne was rewarded in 1853 with a consulship in Liverpool, England, a position he sought to ensure his family's financial security.1