Nell Harper was an American author and educator, best known for her contributions to literature and her role in promoting education. She was born on April 28, 1912, in Birmingham, Alabama, and became a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement that celebrated African American art and literature. In addition to her writing, Harper was an advocate for civil rights and worked to improve educational opportunities for African Americans. Her most famous work, To Kill a Mockingbird, was published in 1960 and has since become a classic, addressing themes of racial injustice and moral growth.