Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote The Scarlet Letter in 1850. He also wrote Tales Twice Told. Hawthorne also wrote short stories like "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment" and "The Minister's Black Veil." Nathaniel Hawthorne used a lot of imagery and symbolism in his stories. Nathaniel Hawthorne was an early American author whose novels and short stories shaped American literature. Hawthorne was born in Salem, Massachusetts, on July 4, 1804. Nathaniel graduated from Bowdoin College in 1825, then moved to Salem ("Nathaniel Hawthorne"). He added the "w" to his last name because he did not want to be associated with his ancestor John Hathorne, who was a judge during the Salem witch trials. John Hathorne played a role in the hanging of nineteen people for witchcraft. Hawthorne became a hermit; he locked himself in his room on the third floor of his family home. When he emerged 12 years later, he published a collection of stories called Twice-Told Tales (“Elements of Literature” 249). Hawthorn married Sophia Peabody in 1842. In the years following his marriage, Hawthorne wrote some of his most famous novels ("Nathaniel Hawthorne"). Hawthorne was offered a post as American consul in Liverpool. The position was offered to an old friend he knew from his years at Bowdoin. Hawthorne returned from Europe but was unable to complete the novels he had promised his publisher due to lack of cheerfulness (“Elements of Literature” 250). Hawthorne died on May 19, 1864 in New Hampshire ("Nathaniel Hawthorne"). Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote The Scarlet Letter in 1850 (Eldrich). The setting of Scarlet Letter is in a strict Puritan community. In the novel, Hester Prynne becomes pregnant, but does not reveal the child's father. She is put in prison and forced to carry... middle of paper... elements of literature” 250). Nathaniel Hawthorne was an early American author whose novels and short stories shaped American literature. His books have stood the test of time. Hawthorne uses a lot of description in his stories. Hawthorne's books give us a glimpse of life in the 19th century. It changed the way authors wrote then and the way we write today. Works Cited by Eldrich Press. May 24, 2011. March 10, 2014. http://www.eldrichpress.org/nh/hathorne.htmplElements of Literature. 1. Austin, : Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2008. 249-50. Print. Harris, Laurie, ed. “Nathaniel Hawthorne.” The literary world. Gale Research, nd Web. April 7, 2014. Hawthorne, Nathaniel. Supernaturalism. Detroit: Gale Research, 1985. 247-48. Print."Nathaniel Hawthorn." E-Scoalar. Np, November 4, 2009. Web. April 7, 2014. “Scarlet Letter.” World cat. Np, August 12, 2006. Web. April 7 2014.