Born in Salem, Mass. in 1804 Comes from relatives who were relevant during the Salem Witch Trials including Judge John Hawthorne In 1825 he graduated college and befriended Franklin Pierce and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

In 1838, Hawthorne became engaged to Sophia Peabody and began working in a custom house.

He dabbled in the Brook Farm transcendentalist movement, but never considered himself a true transcendentalist and moved away from the movement quickly. This episode is highlighted in The Blithedale Romance.

In 1946, Hawthorne again had a position within the custom house. This time is reflected in the opening chapter of The Scarlet Letter entitled The Custom House, where the narrator dreams of great aspirations. He was not very happy with this position as was forced out due to politics. He had his first and biggest success with the 1850 publication of The Scarlet Letter. He became an American sensation.

Hawthorne became a celebrity and a huge success publishing many more major titles. He helped former college friend Franklin Pierce win the 1953 Presidential election, when he was originally a dark horse candidate. They shared like politics and had a strong friendship.

Hawthorne died in 1864.