Nelle Harper Lee, whose debut novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" immortalized her in American classic literature, died on Friday at the age of 89. The news of Lee's death was confirmed by the City Hall in Monroeville, Alabama, where the author lived.
A statement issued by Lee's family read, "The family of Nelle Harper Lee, of Monroeville, Alabama, announced today, with great sadness, that Ms. Lee passed away in her sleep early this morning." The statement said that the author's death was unexpected, as she was in excellent health despite her old age. According to Lee's request, the mourning family will hold a private funeral service "in the upcoming days," the statement added.
Nelle Harper Lee was born in Monroeville, Alabama in on April 26, 1926 and was the youngest of four children of lawyer Amasa Coleman Lee and Frances Cunningham Finch Lee. She was a very private person and highly respected as well as protected by her townspeople. Lee never married and also did not have any children, BBC reported.
As a child Lee met Truman Persons, who was just two years older and came to Monroeville to spend his summers. Lee and Persons soon became close friends and the two would often spend hours reading and making up stories. Being aware of Lee's imaginative temperament, her father Amasa Coleman Lee presented her an Underwood typewriter, which she carried everywhere.
Although Lee went to the University of Alabama and also had a brief stint in law school, she didn't complete her studies. Instead, Lee shifted to New York. In those days, Truman Persons, now known as Truman Capote, had already established himself as one of the leading writers of the country.
Lee also desired to write, but did not have enough time to pursue the vocation until two of Capote's friends, Michael and Joy Brown, presented her a Christmas gift, which included paying all her expenses for a year. This started a new chapter in Lee life and she began writing "To Kill a Mockingbird."
"To Kill a Mockingbird" was published in 1960 and it tells the story justice and race in the small town of Monroeville, where Lee spent her childhood. In the book, Lee portrays how a passionate girl, Scout Finch, her elder brother, Jem, their common friend Dill and various other people of the town are enmeshed in the case of a black man Tom Robinson, who was accused of rape in Maycomb, Alabama, during the Depression-era.
The book portrays the unforgettable character of Atticus Finch as a scrupulous, impartial lawyer who defends the wrongly accused Robinson in a racist courtroom. The story of "To Kill a Mockingbird" established a standard for integrity as well as bravery that continues to resonate even five decades later, CNN reported.
While "To Kill a Mockingbird" won the Pulitzer Prize, Gregory Peck, who portrayed the character of Atticus in the highly praised 1962 movie by the same name, won an Oscar for best actor.
Watch the video "Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird" below: