Harper Lee: Quick Facts

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Nov. 11, 2026

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Also Known As	Nelle Harper Lee
Born	April 28, 1926 • Alabama
Died	February 19, 2016 (aged 89) • Alabama
Awards And Honors	Presidential Medal of Freedom (2007) • Pulitzer Prize (1961)
Notable Works	“Go Set a Watchman” • “The Land of Sweet Forever” • “To Kill a Mockingbird”

Broadway lyricist Michael Brown gave Harper Lee enough money to live in New York for a year so she could focus on writing fulltime.
Harper Lee helped childhood friend Truman Capote interview Kansas residents for his critically acclaimed book "In Cold Blood".
Lee's first name is her grandmother's name, Ellen, spelled backwards.