Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) was an American novelist and short story writer. He is best known for his novel The Scarlet Letter, which tells the story of a woman in Puritan New England who is publicly shamed for having a child out of wedlock. Hawthorne's other works include The House of the Seven Gables, The Blithedale Romance, and Twice-Told Tales. He was a master of the allegorical and symbolic story, exploring issues of morality, guilt, and sin. Hawthorne's writing style was characterized by his use of symbolism and allegory, as well as his exploration of moral and spiritual themes. He is considered one of the greatest American writers of the 19th century.