Nathaniel Hawthorne
Nathaniel Hawthorne (born 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts, died 1864) was one of the best known American novelists of the 19th century. He also wrote a number of short stories. Many of his writings dealt with psychologically rich topics such as guilt and shame. His best known novel, The Scarlet Letter, dealt with both of these themes, as did his well-known short story The Minister's Black Veil.
Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter is favored by liberals for its tendency to weaken codes of morality against sex outside of marriage.
Hawthorne and author Herman Melville struck up a friendship as neighbors, in which the two forged a deep connection, but this did not last over time. Nonetheless, Hawthorne was deeply influential to Melville's literary career.[1]
Hawthorne was one of the founders of Brook Farm[1] and one of its first directors, but left after six months.[1]