Nathaniel Hawthorne
- Born:
- July 4, 1804, Salem, Massachusetts, USA
- Died:
- May 19, 1864, Plymouth, New Hampshire, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Novelist, Short Story Writer
Early Life and Education
- Born Nathaniel Hathorne; later added the "w" to distance himself from his Puritan ancestor, William Hathorne, a judge at the Salem Witch Trials.
- Suffered a leg injury as a child, leading to a period of seclusion and extensive reading.
- Graduated from Bowdoin College in 1825.
Career and Major Achievements
- Initially struggled to gain recognition for his writing.
- Held positions at the Boston Custom House and Brook Farm, a transcendentalist community.
- Gained significant recognition with the publication of Twice-Told Tales (1837) and Mosses from an Old Manse (1846).
- Served as Surveyor of the Salem Custom House from 1846 to 1849.
- Appointed as United States Consul to Liverpool, England (1853-1857) by President Franklin Pierce.
Notable Works
| Title | Year Published | Genre |
|---|---|---|
| Twice-Told Tales | 1837 | Short Stories |
| The Scarlet Letter | 1850 | Novel |
| The House of the Seven Gables | 1851 | Novel |
| The Blithedale Romance | 1852 | Novel |
| The Marble Faun | 1860 | Novel |
Legacy and Impact
Nathaniel Hawthorne is considered a major figure in American literature, known for his exploration of sin, guilt, and the human condition within the context of Puritan New England. His works continue to be studied and analyzed for their psychological depth and symbolic richness. This detailed account of nathaniel biography highlights his contributions to American literary canon.