Nathaniel Hawthorne, born on July 4, 1804, in Salem, Mass., had a grandfather who served as a judge during the Salem witch trials. His original surname was spelled “Hathorne.”
Upon completing college, he altered the spelling of his name by appending a “w” to correspond with its pronunciation. Hawthorne possessed an aversion towards school and made minimal advancement in his academic pursuits. He enrolled at Bowdin College in Salem and successfully obtained a degree from there. Hawthorne’s scholastic performance was ordinary, as he graduated within the median ranks of his class in 1825. Noteworthy individuals among his peers included Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and the future President of the United States, Franklin Pierce.
After completing his education, Nathaniel went back to his mother’s residence on Charter Street in Salem, Massachusetts and commenced his writing career. He isolated himself within her house for the next twelve years. Scholars found this apparent seclusion fascinating and engaged in extensive speculation regarding his activities during this timeframe. Nonetheless, historical records reveal that Hawthorne’s “isolation” was not as reclusive as he intended people to believe. He frequently mingled with society in Salem and made use of the complimentary rides provided by his uncle’s stagecoach company to explore New England throughout the summers. Hawthorne even ventured all the way to Detroit.
Hawthorne’s debut novel, Fanshaw: A Tale, was self-published in 1828 but he later withdrew it and disposed of all available copies. However, in 1830, “The Hollow of the Three Hills” was published by the Salem Gazette, marking Hawthorne’s first story to be published. It was not until 1837, with the release of Twice-Told Tales, that his name gained public recognition. By 1838, at 34 years old, he had already written more than two-thirds of his lifelong collection of tales and sketches. One year after this milestone, Hawthorne encountered Sophia Peabody and their engagement followed soon after.
Hawthorne believed that his modest success in writing would not allow him to support Sophia adequately. However, with the assistance of influential individuals, he was appointed as a Measurer of Salt and Coal at the Custom House in Boston. Hawthorne’s time at the Custom House provided him with valuable experiences that he later incorporated into his writings. Shortly before marrying Sophia, he actively sought higher-paying employment as he was convinced that he could not sustain a satisfactory livelihood solely through his literary works. As a result, Hawthorne began searching for more lucrative opportunities.
Nathaniel invested $1000 in the Brook Farm Community, but the demanding workload and his disagreement with the Transcendentalist beliefs held by the community led him to have no time for writing. Furthermore, the financial struggles of the farm caused Hawthorne to inform Sophia that they needed to make other arrangements. As a result, he left the community in November 1841.
Hawthorne’s employment at the Democratic Review provided him with new hope that he could support Sophia financially. In 1942, Hawthorne and Sophia got married and relocated to Concord, Massachusetts, where they settled in the well-known “Old Manse”. In this new place, Hawthorne became acquainted with influential Transcendentalist figures like Emerson, Thoreau, Fuller, and Alcott, who were his colleagues and neighbors.
It appears that Hawthorne’s perspective on Transcendentalism shifted after his time at Brook Farm. His later works demonstrate some influence from Transcendentalism, including a belief in personal agency and a heightened focus on symbolism. His time at the “Old Manse” proved to be fruitful both creatively and financially, as he produced several stories that would be included in his collection Mosses from an Old Manse.
After having their first child, the Hawthorne family started experiencing financial issues. Hawthorne managed to secure a position as the “Surveyor for the District of Salem and Beverly and Inspector of the Revenue for the Port of Salem,” earning $1,200 annually in 1846. While this job helped alleviate their financial troubles, it left him with little time for writing. However, due to a change in the governing political party, Hawthorne resigned from this role in 1841. Following his mother’s passing in 1849, he faced even greater financial strain and emotional distress.
Sophia secretly disclosed to Hawthorne that she had been saving money from her allowance for household expenses throughout the years. With this money, Hawthorne determined to make another attempt at earning a living through his writing. Over the course of the following eight months, Hawthorne expended his time and energy to complete The Scarlet Letter. The novel was published in 1850 and achieved considerable sales success. Regrettably, two London publishers unlawfully copied the book, resulting in limited financial gains for Hawthorne and his family.
Hawthorne encountered criticism in Salem because of certain passages discovered in the “Custom House” section of his book. The Scarlet Letter is recognized as the first psychological novel, delving into the clash between Puritan values and the desire for personal freedom. The Hawthorne family moved to Lennox, Massachusetts and lived there for a year, during which time Hawthorne formed a friendship with Herman Melville. Melville was in the process of writing his first novel, Moby Dick, during this period. Hawthorne had a significant impact on Melville’s writing, evident in Moby Dick’s dedication to him.
During this time, Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote and published The Blithedale Romance, which was inspired by his experiences at Brook Farm. In search of a more permanent residence, Hawthorne relocated his family back to Concord, Massachusetts. It was during this period in Concord that he authored two works: Tanglewood Tales and A Life of Pierce. A Life of Pierce served as a campaign biography for his former classmate and future president of the United States, Franklin Pierce. In recognition of his efforts, Hawthorne was appointed as United States Consul in Liverpool, England. While fulfilling his consular duties, Nathaniel did not write any more fiction.
Hawthorne kept journals that later became the basis for Our Old Home. These journals focused on English scenery, life, and manners. Hawthorne served as consul until President Buchanan’s election, at which point he resigned. After leaving the consulship, Hawthorne relocated his family to Italy and they resided in Rome and Florence. During their time there, Nathaniel meticulously documented all of the art museums and historical sites that he and his family visited.
The Marble Faun, also known as Transformation, was the last work of Nathaniel Hawthorne. It was inspired by his published journals from England and marked his return to Boston after its publication. However, in early 1864, Hawthorne’s health began declining rapidly. In an attempt to improve his condition, he embarked on a trip to New Hampshire with his old classmate Franklin Pierce. Regrettably, on May 19, 1864, at the age of 60, Nathaniel Hawthorne peacefully passed away in Plymouth, New Hampshire while sleeping.
Hawthorne was buried at the Concord Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. During college, Hawthorne met influential figures in American literature and politics. The funeral featured renowned pallbearers including Longfellow, Holmes, Lowell, and Emerson. Former President Franklin Pierce attended the funeral with Mrs. Hawthorne and their children.
