Nathaniel Hawthorne (born Nathaniel Hathorne; July 4, 1804 – May 19, 1864) was an acclaimed American novelist and short story writer, renowned for his profound contributions to American literature. His narratives richly explore themes of history, morality, and religion, deeply intertwined with the essence of New England.

Born in Salem, Massachusetts, into a family with a long association to the area, Hawthorne's literary journey commenced at Bowdoin College, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and graduated in 1825. His first novel, Fanshawe, was published in 1828, a work he later sought to disown. This marked the beginning of a prolific period of short story publication, culminating in the 1837 collection Twice-Told Tales. His engagement to Sophia Peabody in 1838 led him to join Brook Farm, a transcendentalist community, before their marriage in 1842 and subsequent relocations, ultimately settling at The Wayside in Concord.

His masterpiece, The Scarlet Letter, was published in 1850, followed by a series of notable novels. Hawthorne's tenure as a consul in Europe was a significant chapter in his life, before returning to Concord in 1860. His legacy endures through his exploration of moral metaphors, anti-Puritan sentiment, and the dark romanticism movement. His works, characterized by moral messages and psychological depth, remain vital to the canon of American literature.