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The Scarlet Letter Written By Nathaniel Hawthorne

Historical Perspectives

Author Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on July 4th 1804 and died on May 19th 1864. He was born and raised in Salem, Massachusetts. His ancestors all had the original last name of Hathorne but Nathaniel added a "w". The reason for this name change has been said to be because one oh his ancestors John Hathorne who was a judge for the Salem Witch Trials. As a child he suffered from a leg injury that kept him from a normal childhood, yet did not make him an unhappy child. He kept himself busy and productive acquiring a love for literature. Perhaps if it weren't for his temporary leg injury Hawthorne would not be the man we know of to date. He was raised by only his mother. His father, a sea captain, died when he was only four years old. He was the only son of two sisters, and was raised well with the help if his wealthy relatives. With a background of a puritan family Hawthorne's work was inspired by them and his new life in New England. The Scarlet Letter is by far his most studied piece followed by The House of the Seven Gables. Hawthorne also wrote many short stories which were published anonymously.

http://www.notablebiographies.com/Gi-He/Hawthorne-Nathaniel.html