Author Harper Lee has passed away, local sources have confirmed.
Lee, best known for her 1961 novel To Kill A Mockingbird, was 89 years old. The news was first reported by Alabama’s Al.com and confirmed by Monroeville mayor Mike Kennedy. HarperCollins, her publishers, have also verified the news.
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 published 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.
The Guardian reports that Lee had been living in a nursing home for “several years” leading up to her death.