John Green has led the tributes to Harper Lee, who died earlier today (February 19).
Lee, best known for her 1961 novel To Kill A Mockingbird, was 89 years old.
To Kill A Mockingbird won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction upon its release and was Lee’s only published novel until it was followed up by prequel Go Set A Watchman in February 2015. The latter book was the original draft of its predecessor.
To Kill A Mockingbird was made into a film in 1962. It starred Gregory Peck as main character Atticus Finch and won three Academy Awards.
Green tweeted a story about Lee’s signed book offering after the birth of his son, and called the author “extraordinarily generous.”
Former Blink-182 man Tom Delonge also issued a statement on his love for the author, saying that he is a lifelong fan. Delonge named his clothing company Atticus after Lee’s most iconic character. He told Rolling Stone:
“The passing of Harper Lee is a loss for all of us. Her work challenged us to think about equality, tolerance and human kindness. May she rest in peace.”
The author has been honoured with a host of tributes on Twitter, some if which can be seen below:
When my son Henry was born, Ms. Lee signed a copy of Looking for Alaska for him with the inscription, "Welcome to the world Henry Atticus."
— John Green (@johngreen) February 19, 2016
That book is my most prized possession. Ms. Lee lived a private life, but she was quietly and extraordinarily generous.
— John Green (@johngreen) February 19, 2016
Rest in peace, Harper Lee. "The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) February 19, 2016
Today we lost a beautiful writer. RIP Harper Lee. pic.twitter.com/aA0SgyV0j1
— Random House (@randomhouse) February 19, 2016
RIP Harper Lee, 89. Author of one of the greatest books ever written. #ToKillAMockingBird
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 19, 2016
You know what… #TKAMB is a book that changed my life. Maybe i should write one. Harper Lee inspired me & hopefully I can pay it forward
— erin brockovich (@ErinBrockovich) February 19, 2016