Harper Lee's Early Life and Character Traits
Childhood
Harper Lee was born on April 28, 1926 in Monroeville, AL. She is the youngest of four children. Her father was a lawyer (and the inspiration for Atticus Finch). She was a tomboy and an avid reader growing up. Her best friend was Truman Capote (author of In Cold Blood and many other works).
College and Adult Years
When Harper went to college she pursued a law degree, but did not complete the degree. While she was in college she wrote for numerous student publications at the University of Alabama. Harper was also the editor of a campus magazine called “Ramma-Jamma.” During her college years she also studied in Oxford, England for a summer.
During her adult years Harper Lee was a reservation clerk for American Airlines until the late 1950s. She often traveled from her tiny (cold water only) apartment in New York to Monroeville to care for her sick father.