Harper Lee was born on April 28, 1926 in Monroeville, Alabama to Amasa Lee and Frances Finch. As the youngest of four children, Lee grew up as a tomboy in a small town. His father was a lawyer and owned part of the local newspaper. His mother suffered from mental illness and spent most of her days at her home, some people believed she had bipolar disorder. One of Lee's closest friends was Truman Capote, who was also a writer. Lee was Capote's protector at school because he was picked on for being sensitive and wearing fancy clothes. In high school Lee discovered a passion for English literature and writing. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay After graduating in 1944, she attended Huntingdon College for Women in Montgomery. She didn't care much about fashion, makeup and dating, she focused on writing. She was also a member of the literary honor society and the Glee Club. When she transferred to the University of Alabama she was known to be a loner, although she joined a sorority there for a while. Pursuing his love of writing, Lee was part of the school newspaper and its humor magazine The Rammer Jammer which he eventually became the publisher of the publication. During her senior year Lee was accepted into the university's law school. He took the opportunity but while continuing his studies he had to leave his post as editor of The Rammer Jammer. After his first year in the program, Lee began to declare that writing was his true calling, not law. That summer she went to Oxford University in England as an exchange student. When she returned, she abandoned her law studies and moved north to pursue a career as a writer. Lee moved to New York in 1949. He struggled for several years working as a flight agent. While living in New York he met Truman Capote, who was an emerging author at the time. She had also become friends with Michael Martin Brown and his wife Joy, Mr. Brown was a Broadway composer and lyricist. In 1956 the Browns gave Lee a fantastic Christmas present: they would support her for a year just to allow her to get started as a writer. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get Custom EssayLee immediately quit his job and started writing. The Browns also helped her find an agent, Maurice Crain. Lee, working with editor Tay Hohoff, were able to begin a manuscript that eventually became Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird.