Nathaniel Hawthorne(July 4,1804-May 19,1864)was an American novelist and short story writer.

He was born in 1804 in Salem,Massachusetts,to Nathaniel Hathorne and the former Elizabeth Clarke Manning.The Scarlet Letter was published in 1850,followed by a succession of other novels.A political appointment took Hawthorne and family to Europe before their return to The Wayside in 1860.Hawthorne died on May 19,1864,and was survived by his wife and their three children.

Much of Hawthorne's writing centers on New England,many works featuring moral allegories with a Puritan inspiration.His fiction works are considered part of the Romantic movement and,more specifically,Dark romanticism.His themes often center on the inherent evil and sin of humanity,and his works often have moral messages and deep psychological complexity.His published works include novels,short stories,and a biography of his friend Franklin Pierce.