Nelle Harper Lee (1926 - ) American novelist known for her 1960 Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird.

The book deals with the issues of racism that she observed as a child in her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama. Despite being Lee's only published book, it led to her being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her contribution to literature. Lee has received numerous honorary degrees but has always declined to make a speech.

Other significant contributions include assisting her close friend Truman Capote in his research for the book In Cold Blood.

Source: Wikipedia