Harper Lee Quotes The author of " To Kill a Mockingbird ," Harper Lee, died today at the age of 89. Lee lived in Monroeville, Alabama. This article will present some of our favorite Harper Lee quotes and a Harper Lee biography. Harper Lee Biography Nelle Harper Lee was born on April 28, 1926 in Monroeville, Alabama. Lee was the youngest of four and her name, Nelle, is her grandmother's name spelled backwards. Her father, Amasa Coleman Lee was a lawyer and her mother, Frances Cunningham Finch, was a homemaker. Lee's father defended two black men that were accused of murder before he became a title lawyer . He lost the case and both clients were hanged. Harper Lee was a tomboy and her mother suffered from mental illness. Lee's closest childhood friend was Truman Capote whom she protected . Capote was often picked on for wearing fancy clothes. In her teenage years, Lee developed an interest in English literature. ...