Nathaniel Hawthorne

1804–1864

25 standalone books

Nathaniel Hawthorne was an American novelist and short story writer who lived from 1804 to 1864. He is recognized as a significant figure in the development of American literature, particularly for his works that explore the nation's colonial history. After graduating from Bowdoin College, he changed his name from Hathorne to Hawthorne. He anonymously published his first novel, Fanshawe, in 1828. In 1837, he published the collection Twice-Told Tales and became engaged to Sophia Peabody in 1838. He worked at a Custom House and joined a Transcendentalist Utopian community before marrying Peabody in 1842. The couple lived in several locations, including The Old Manse in Concord, Salem, the Berkshires, and The Wayside in Concord. His most famous work, The Scarlet Letter, was published in 1850. He also wrote other novels and a biography of his friend, President Franklin Pierce. Hawthorne died on May 19, 1864, leaving behind his wife and three children. His writing often focused on New England and featured moral allegories with a Puritan influence.

Born

1804